Child Pornography Attorneys in Raleigh, North Carolina

At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, our skilled Raleigh child pornography defense attorneys know accusations associated with these charges can ruin your life no matter how they came to be.

Since the Internet age began, people have searched and engaged in legal adult activities from their homes, only to find themselves inadvertently drawn into sting operations that involve underage images, chats, and websites that can be legally construed as internet solicitation or solicitation of a minor until proven unconstitutional by our law firm.

While our Raleigh child pornography attorneys know the stigma surrounding these charges is immense, and the penalties for a conviction severe, they can occur without notice, leaving families and lives torn apart for good.

That is why it is important to have a skilled North Carolina defense attorney by your side immediately after an investigation, accusation, or arrest occurs, so your rights and integrity are protected from the start of your case.

That is why we are here.

In just over a decade, our criminal defense law firm in Wake County has handled over 5,000 cases with uncompromising precision for clients throughout North Carolina to ensure their criminal charges do not define their futures.

Our talented team of child pornography attorneys has established themselves as an authoritative presence inside and outside both state and federal courtrooms, reputably producing real results for our clients through case dismissals, reduced charges, and other recognizably favorable outcomes.

What is Considered Child Pornography in North Carolina?

Child pornography technically falls under sexual exploitation of child laws and penalties in North Carolina that are more than serious allegations. They come with severe felony charges and legal consequences that can change your life.

Sexual Exploitation of a Child in North Carolina may include:

• Use, employ, induce, coerce, encourage, or facilitate a person under the age of 18 to engage in or assist others to engage in sexual activity for a live performance or for the purpose of producing material that contains a visual representation depicting this activity.
• Permit a minor in your custody or control to engage in sexual activity for a live performance or for the purpose of producing material that contains a visual representation depicting this activity.
• Transport or finance the transportation of a minor through or across North Carolina with the intent that the minor engages in sexual activity for a live performance or for the purpose of producing material that contains a visual representation depicting this activity.
• Record, photograph, film, develop or duplicate for sale or pecuniary gain material that contains a visual representation depicting a minor engaged in sexual activity.

No matter the reason you have been accused of sexual exploitation including whether it was a misunderstanding, or a vindictive spouse looking for leverage during divorce or custody proceedings once the allegations are made, they cannot be taken back.

At Marcilliat & Mills PLLC, our skilled child pornography attorneys in Raleigh develop strategic criminal defenses for clients that provide each of our accused clients with a platform to tell their side of the story, to redeem themselves, and secure their futures by pursuing the best possible outcome for their unique cases. Contact us today to discuss your case, so you can get the answers you need to make informed decisions about your future.

What are the Penalties for Child Pornography Convictions in North Carolina?

Under North Carolina state and federal laws, it is illegal to produce, transport, share, receive or possess child pornography.

Under our North Carolina laws, the following activities are felonies and come with the listed penalties:

Possession of Pornography

Charge: Third-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor; Class H Felony

Penalty: Four to Eight Months of Jail Time for a First-Time Offender

Copying or Distributing Child Pornography

Charge: Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor; Class E Felony

Penalty: 15 to 31 Months of Jail Time for a First-Time Offender

Production of Pornography

Charge: First-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor; Class C Felony

Penalty: 44 to 92 Months of Jail Time for a First-Time Offender

If the accused has prior convictions or if the image involved violence or sexual abuse of the child, he or she will face even harsher penalties.

What if the Accused is Charged with Child Pornography but Did Not Know the Individual Was Underage?

Under our North Carolina laws, mistake of age is never a defense for sexual acts with minors, including statutory rape, sex offenses, taking indecent liberties with children, and internet sex crimes, and child pornography.

The problem here is that even when an image is downloaded to your computer, tablet, or smartphone as part of another larger file, and includes an image of someone underage — whether they are a stranger, celebrity, or otherwise you can still be charged with child pornography in North Carolina.

These charges come with more than significant penalties, including jail time and fines, if you are convicted you will have to register as a sex offender in North Carolina.

What’s more, most people — including neighbors, friends, family members, potential employers, lending institutions, federal programs, and college admission boards do not differentiate when judging child pornography charges or sex offense registration, no matter how it was possessed or distributed or why the registration was required.

This has significant, life-long consequences that can keep the accused from getting a job, securing student loans or federal housing grants, or obtaining child custody during a divorce, and can cause public personal persecution going forward.

Marcilliat & Mills PLLC fights to protect the rights of adults charged with computer sex crimes and child pornography. We work with a network of computer forensic professionals and expert witnesses and specialists to present your defense in the strongest possible light.

Marcilliat & Mills PLLC: Established Criminal Defense Attorneys. Real Results.

If you have been accused, charged, or investigated for child pornography crimes in North Carolina, do not leave your future to chance by discussing your case with the investigator or prosecutor’s office without an accomplished criminal defense attorney by your side.

Contact our skilled child pornography attorneys in Raleigh at Marcilliat & Mills PLLC today by calling 919-838-6643 or online to schedule a free initial consultation to learn how we can empower you to take a stand and pursue real results. Please contact our sex crimes attorneys in North Carolina for more legal help.