Houston Sex Crime Attorney for Child Porn Possession

Being charged with a child pornography crime is one of the most frightening and stressful things that can happen to a person. These offenses rank among the most serious crimes, with some having mandatory prison terms and substantial fines if convicted. In our age of digital media, arrests on child pornography charges are more common because they are relatively easy to investigate.

Police track suspicious online activity, determine the exact location of the computer used, and on that basis get a search and/or arrest warrant. Because of the public outrage that these cases provoke, prosecutors usually take a hard line and will refuse to dismiss or reduce a case unless the defense attorney gives them no other choice.

Child pornography cases are unique and sensitive, and require a lawyer with the right expertise. With insight into special computer forensic issues, how the government investigates and prosecutes these cases (and mistakes they make), and evolving case law, the Neal Davis Law Firm has the knowledge and experience to position these cases for the best possible outcome.

We focus on representing individuals who have been charged with various types of Internet and sex crime charges, including:

• Child pornography possession
• Child pornography distribution/promotion
• Child pornography receiving
• Possessing obscene material
• Online solicitation of a minor

No. The job of a defense attorney is to protect the legal rights of those accused of a crime. Police are used to lawyers representing suspects, and understand that innocent suspects hire lawyers to protect themselves. You should immediately contact an experienced attorney to protect your rights. Hire the lawyer you feel is the most qualified, and with whom you feel most comfortable. Examine the lawyer’s experience. Also, consider the lawyer’s credentials and their ratings. Among the most reputable and prestigious ratings are an AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell (2015) and admission into the Best Lawyers in America (2015-2022).”

Neal Davis

Phase 1: Investigation

A child pornography investigation typically begins with a law enforcement officer locating child pornography available for download. After downloading the images, the officer searches for the IP address attached to the image and seeks a subpoena to identify the account holder of the IP address.

Phase 2: Search & seizure

After the owner of the pornographic material is identified, police will obtain a warrant to search the person’s residence and seize any property that might be incriminating – computers, laptops, phone and any other devices capable of storing data. These items will then be analyzed to see if they contain child pornography. Sometimes, an arrest warrant is also obtained along with the search warrant. But even without an arrest warrant, investigators can arrest a suspect when the search occurs and child pornography is located. This most often happens when police show up with a search warrant, find some child pornography images at the scene, and question the suspect who admits he is responsible for the child pornography.

Phase 3: Formal charges

Following the defendant’s arrest, he or she may be eligible for a bond depending on whether the charges are in State or federal court. In State court, a defendant is entitled to bond. In Harris County, Texas, the trial court uses several factors to set the bail amount, including the defendant’s work record, community ties, family, length of residency and prior criminal history. If you cannot afford both bond and a defense attorney, then spend your money on the attorney. Bond is a short-term gain; hiring the right attorney carries long-term consequences.

In federal court, a defendant is not entitled to bail. That means the judge can detain the defendant in a child pornography case. A judge’s decision to detain the defendant often hinges on the specific facts of the case, including the number of images, whether the defendant merely possessed (as opposed to distributed or created) child pornography images, and whether the defendant has anything in his or her history suggesting sexual deviance.

Phase 4: Defense

Once a criminal defense lawyer is hired to represent the defendant, the attorney will immediately begin building a defense. For example, investigation will determine whether the government can tie the defendant as the person who actually knowingly possessed, distributed or received child pornography. Or whether the defendant used an unsecured or shared network, therefore allowing others (besides himself/herself) to download child pornography without their knowledge. Or whether the government legally conducted any search or arrest.

If a defendant is convicted, then there is sentencing. Penalties for a child pornography charge can include fines and court costs, probation, sex offender counseling, restitution for the victim(s) and imprisonment. There is also mandatory sex offender registration for life.