Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
in Fort Myers

Believing false rumors

Sometimes rumors can grow quickly whether or not they are true. A convincing rumor can lead to legal trouble for an unsuspecting subject if people are willing to believe and spread their suspicions. Rumors that suggest a person may have violated one or more of Florida’s child pornography laws can have dire consequences. The investigatory stage before law enforcement files formal charges is critically important. Anything the accused says can elevate suspicions even if the rumor is untrue. Experienced defense lawyers provide representation and guide their clients through the initial stages by protecting their rights and helping the accused avoid self-incrimination. No one should speak to law enforcement without first contacting a Fort Myers criminal defense lawyer.

Blackmail and extortion

Known more formally as extortion, blackmail occurs if one person threatens to reveal detrimental or embarrassing information about someone else if the other person refuses to go along with the threatener’s wishes. Extortion is illegal in Florida. The act is illegal even if the threat is to reveal information that is untrue. An extortionist may threaten to accuse someone of a child pornography offense, even going so far as to file a report with law enforcement, if the individual does not send money or otherwise comply with the extortionist’s demands. Extortion is a white-collar crime under Florida law. Not only can a victim of extortion who is accused of a child pornography offense call on a Florida attorney for assistance in prevailing against the criminal charges, but the accused may also file criminal and possibly civil charges against the extortionist.

Child pornography accusations in child custody disputes

Child custody negotiations can become volatile if the parties involved are not on the same accord. In extremely volatile situations, one parent may resolve to deploy every means, whether honest or dishonest, to prevent the other parent from having his or her way. It is not uncommon for a party in a child custody case to falsely accuse his or her co-parent of child pornography or another sex offense in the interest of making it impossible for the other parent to be allowed unsupervised time with the child. Not only can the accusation negatively impact the accused’s custody or visitation with his or her child, but the accused may also be subjected to criminal investigation and charges. A Fort Myers child pornography defense attorney can intervene and protect his or her client’s interests in cases involving accusations made during volatile custody disputes.

Coercion and child pornography accusations

In some cases, one person may coerce another into accusing someone of a crime or of corroborating someone else’s accusation. Coercion can accompany blackmail or extortion. In some instances, law enforcement investigators may attempt to coerce a witness into implicating someone in a crime, or they may coerce or intimidate a suspect into making self-incriminating statements even if the individual did not have involvement with the crime. Fort Myers criminal defense attorneys protect their clients by being present during discussions with law enforcement to ensure coercion does not take place. An attorney can also raise doubts in cases in which a witness implicated the accused as a result of coercion.

Witness coaching

Witness coaching occurs when an attorney persuades a victim to make potentially incriminating statements against someone during an investigation or court case. This practice is more common in cases involving sexual misconduct against children. While it is legal for an attorney to take certain measures to prepare a child to be interviewed, deposed, or take the stand as a witness, it is illegal for attorneys to coach children in the interest of having the potential witness make a false accusation.

Possession of child pornography in Fort Myers

Florida law defines possession of child pornography as knowingly having, regulating, or viewing pornographic images of an individual who is under 18. The images can be found on the individual’s person, in a book owned or borrowed by the individual, or on the individual’s electronic device. Law enforcement agencies search homes, workplaces, storage units, vehicles, and any building that is under the individual’s control. If found in possession of child pornography, the defendant may be convicted of a third-degree felony under state law and sentenced to up to five years in state prison and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. If a defendant is convicted of a single count of possession of child pornography, the individual may be sentenced to sex offender probation up to the statutory maximum of five years in prison.

Possible defenses

Inadvertently possessing child pornography can happen more easily than people may think. This is especially true if the illegal images are in digital file format. Computer viruses are capable of downloading files onto the recipient’s computer without the user knowing the files are present. Viruses can be downloaded by clicking on links on websites, in forums, on social media, in text messages, and in emails. Viruses can be transmitted externally if someone inserts a USB drive or other media storage into a computer or other electronic device.

When someone borrows or uses someone else’s computer, files are often left behind from websites the individual visited. Therefore, if law enforcement officials find illegal images on someone’s computer after receiving it back from the borrower, the owner of the computer may be investigated or even charged with a child pornography offense. Creating a separate guest profile and logging out of your personal profile when allowing others to use a computer can help distinguish the computer owner’s online activity from the borrower’s activities. An attorney may also provide evidence such as location tracking or an IP address in the case of a laptop if the borrower used the computer in another location. Witness testimony may be sufficient if others were present when the other person borrowed the computer.

Hacking can also result in illegal images being downloaded to someone’s electronic device without the individual’s knowledge. If hackers are able to gain control of an individual’s computer, they may secretly place files on the individual’s device or even access the individual’s camera. Though much less common, phones and tablets may also be hacked. Avoiding unknown apps with minimal downloads can help avoid phone and tablet hacking.

Sexual performance by a child

Florida law prohibits any performance that includes any type of sexual activity that involves a child. The performance may be a film, photo, play, digital video, dance, or any other type of visual representation that is exhibited in front of an audience. Interestingly, Florida courts have held that prosecutors are not required to prove the performance was exhibited to multiple third parties as an audience may consist of only one person, including the defendant. Therefore, recording a minor who is engaged in sexual activity is sufficient for a conviction.

Possession with the intent to promote

It is also illegal to promote a sexual performance by a child. Florida judges and juries are permitted to automatically presume an individual who possessed three or more illegal images of children also intended to promote the images. Promoting also encompasses:

• selling
• giving
• manufacturing
• transferring
• publishing
• distributing
• agreement to promote the images in any way

Penalties for sexual performances by children

Individuals who violate Florida’s laws against producing or promoting a sexual performance by children may be convicted of a second-degree felony, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in state prison and $10,000 in fines. Defendants who are convicted can be sentenced for each image found. Therefore, if 100 images were determined to have been pornographic, the defendant may be sentenced to 150 years in prison and ordered to pay $1,000,000 in fines.

Transmission of images depicting sexual content to a minor

Florida specifically has a law that makes it illegal to use an electronic device to transmit pornographic images of minors. In order to obtain a conviction, prosecutors must prove the following:

• the defendant engaged in the act of sending or delivering a pornographic image, data, or information through any electronic device or over the internet
• at the time of the offense, the individual knew he or she was transmitting a pornographic image of a child
• the content in the image meets the statutory definition of child pornography

The prosecution must also prove the images were sent from Florida to another state. Alternatively, the defendant may be convicted if the images were transmitted from another state to Florida.

Transmitting images that are harmful to a minor

If a defendant sends an image that does not meet the definition of child pornography, the individual can still be convicted for transmitting an image that is harmful to a minor. The prosecution must prove the defendant knew he or she was sending the harmful image to a minor. An image is harmful if it contains reproductions, depictions, exhibitions, and descriptions that convey nudity, sexual excitement, or sexual conduct. The image must also:

• predominantly appeal to an indecent or obscene interest
• be patently offensive to current standards in the community with respect to what is suitable material for minors
• be without serious scientific, political, literary, or artistic value when taken as a whole

Penalties for transmitting harmful or pornographic images of children

Transmitting pornographic images of a minor is a third-degree felony. If convicted, a defendant may be sentenced to up to five years in state prison and ordered to pay up to $5,000 in fines. Transmitting a harmful image to a minor carries the same penalties. However, the charge may be increased to a second-degree felony if the defendant misrepresented his or her age to the victim.

Sexual predators & Florida’s Sexual Offender Registry

An individual who is convicted of certain crimes is required by law to register as a state-designated sex offender within 48 hours of release from jail or prison. If a person has committed a sex offense that involves violence, the individual receives the “sex predator” designation. Among the offenses requiring registration as a sex offender are:

• video voyeurism involving a minor
• promotion or production of a sexual performance by a child
• computer pornography
• transmission of child pornography
• transmission using an electronic device of an image that is harmful to a minor

Florida’s sex offender registry includes the individual’s personal information, a physical description including tattoos, palm prints, photos, employment details, vehicle information, home address, email addresses, internet provider, and social security number. These details are collected in addition to the crimes for which the individual has been convicted and the date and location at which those crimes took place. The individual must also provide the state with information regarding any professional licenses the person has obtained. Newly registered sex offenders must also report to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, identify themselves as sex offenders, and obtain an ID card.

Failure to register as a sex offender after release from serving a sentence for a sex crime may result in the individual being sent back to jail or prison. The individual can also be charged with a third-degree felony. If any of a registered sex offender’s personal details, home address, or employment changes, the individual must update his or her information within 48 hours.

Florida sexting law

Florida teens under the age of 18 may face criminal consequences if they engage in sexting, a term that refers to the sharing of nude or sexually explicit images via text message. Within the context of state law, sexting also refers to sharing images over the internet and other communication devices. Florida law specifically prohibits:

• minors knowingly sending a computer or electronic device to distribute to another minor any image or video that depicts nudity and is harmful to minors
• minors receiving and possessing a nude image transmitted by another minor

Penalties for teen sexting

First-time violators of Florida’s teen sexting law may not be subjected to criminal sentencing. Instead, a minor may receive a non-criminal citation that requires the minor to complete eight hours of community service, pay a $60 penalty, or participate in a cyber safety program. The minor may also challenge the citation in court. For a second violation, the minor may be convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor. Subsequent instances may result in the minor being charged with a third-degree felony.

If the illegal image depicts sexual conduct or sexual excitement, a Florida prosecutor may file additional charges against the accused minor. If the image was transmitted as part of harassing behavior or revenge porn, prosecutors may add stalking, harassment, and other additional charges accordingly.

How child pornographers are caught

Child pornographers are often caught during sting operations. Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies often work together to find, investigate, and arrest people who produce, transmit, or are looking to obtain illegal images of children. Nonprofit organizations also sometimes engage in operations that are aimed at identifying child pornographers in the interest of turning the individuals over to law enforcement. These sting operations may vary, but common examples include:

• law enforcement going undercover in chat groups posing as people who have an interest in pornographic images
• officers pose as buyers looking to purchase photos of minors
• law enforcement agencies set up websites posing as sellers of illegal material to lure interested buyers

Federal laws against child pornography

Individuals who are charged with violating one or more of Florida’s child pornography laws may also be charged with violating one or more federal laws against child pornography. Federal law prohibits:

• sexual exploitation of children
• selling and buying of children
• production, distribution, reception, and possession of a pornographic image of a child

A federal law enforcement agency may also file charges if an adult conspires to a child pornography offense, necessitating the need for an experienced federal defense lawyer in Fort Myers who specializes in cases involving sex crimes. An individual may face federal charges if the activity took place within interstate or foreign commerce. Federal charges generally have more severe penalties, including longer sentences and higher fines. Defendants who are convicted on state charges may be prosecuted and sentenced again under federal law, which may result in the individual being sentenced to federal prison and ordered to pay additional fines.

Defense in Fort Myers child pornography cases

No one should take child pornography accusations lightly or face investigators alone. Our Fort Myers child pornography defense lawyer represents the accused at all stages of the criminal court process, including those who are facing preliminary investigations, indictments, the criminal trial process, and post-sentencing. We work diligently to protect the rights of the accused and to help our clients understand their legal options and make informed decisions throughout the process.

Contact us today to receive a complimentary case evaluation. We handle each call with the utmost professionalism and discretion. You can count on us to protect your privacy and answer all your legal questions. Call or email us to get the legal help you need and deserve.