Sexual Exploitation of a Minor/Internet Child Pornography

Child pornography refers to any content depicting sexually explicit activities involving a child. This includes photographs, videos, digital, and computer-generated images. More recently, live-streaming sexual abuse of a minor has surfaced. While child pornography is a global issue, the U.S. remains one of the largest producers and consumers of child pornography in the world. According to thorn.org, children under the age of 12 were depicted in almost 80 percent of the images and videos assessed by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection. About 63 percent of those children were under the age of 8. About 80 percent of those children were girls, while the remainder were boys. 

Sexual exploitation of a minor is a very serious charge. If you are convicted of this criminal offense in Arizona, you could face a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, and a lifetime of having to be on the sex offender registry. Further, when you are charged with the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, you might face multiple counts, which could result in multiple, consecutive 10-year sentence terms. Even if you are not convicted—or are convicted of a lesser offense—simply being accused of a sexual offense with a minor brings a social stigma it is hard to escape. In the wake of accusations of sexual exploitation of a minor and child pornography charges in facing accusations in the greater Phoenix metro area, Maricopa County including but not limited to Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale or Gilbert, you need to contact an attorney immediately.

You could face the loss of your job or the inability to secure employment, and a felony offense could leave you unable to rent an apartment, obtain a professional license, obtain a federal student loan, own a firearm, or even vote. If you are facing accusations of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor or Internet Child Pornography, it is essential that you have an experienced and highly skilled attorney by your side who can defend you. 

Why Should You Choose Ciccarelli Law Offices for Your Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Charges?

If you are facing such serious charges as Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, now is the time for action, and now is the time to make a difference in your future by speaking to the Ciccarelli Law Offices. You need a legal team that understands you are in a crisis—and a legal team that has the courage and conviction to make a real difference. Attorney Lee Ciccarelli will be there for you when you need him the most. 

The legal team at Ciccarelli Law Offices has the will and the desire to be the aggressive advocate you need right now. Our team has 100 years of combined experience fighting for our clients throughout the state of Arizona. Our goal is always to secure justice for our clients, as well as the best results and best outcome possible. We have successfully represented thousands of clients across the country. At the Ciccarelli Law Offices:

• We have hundreds of Five-Star Reviews from our clients
• Lee Ciccarelli has been rated a 10 by AVVO, a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association, was recognized as a Premier 100 member of the National Academy of Jurisprudence and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  
• Ciccarelli Law Offices has attorneys recognized as Super Lawyers
• Lee Ciccarelli received the TEN Best Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys, was voted one of the Top 100 Litigation Attorneys by the American Society of Legal Advocates, and is a member of the National College for DUI Defense.  

When you need serious criminal defense representation, you need Ciccarelli Law Offices. We will ensure your rights are always protected and that you have the best future possible. 

What are the Arizona Laws Regarding Sexual Exploitation of a Minor/Internet Child Pornography?

Under A.R.S. Section 13-3553, it is illegal to knowingly record, film, photograph, duplicate, develop, sell, purchase, transport, or electronically transmit or receive any visual depiction of a sexual act with a minor. This statute is extremely broad, covering a wide range of conduct—as well as some potentially innocent types of conduct. A minor is any person under the age of 18 years old at the time the images were created. 

This is a Class 2 felony, however, as noted, the statute is so broad that clicking on the wrong link on the Internet could result in charges of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor. While the exploitative exhibition or sexual conduct shown in the images can be actual or simulated, the purpose of the images must be sexual stimulation for the viewer. 

What are the Penalties for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor/Internet Child Pornography?

If the minor(s) in the images are 14 years old or younger, the crime becomes a Dangerous Crime Against Children, and the penalties become even more severe. A first offense of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor is a Class 2 felony. If convicted of this offense, you could face probation or up to 12.5 years in jail. If you have one prior conviction, then your prison sentence could range from 4.5 years to 23.35 years. 

If you have two prior convictions for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, your prison sentence could range from 10.5 years to 35 years. A conviction for this offense requires registration as a sex offender for the remainder of your life, and you will not be allowed to have any contact with anyone under the age of 18, including your own children, without undergoing numerous testing procedures and gaining your Probation Officer’s consent. 

What are the Potential Defenses for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor/Internet Child Pornography?

The key to your defense is likely to be showing that you did not knowingly possess or receive any of the listed actions with images of a minor. Your attorney may be able to present evidence that proves you were not the one who accessed the images—i.e., someone else used your computer. Your attorney might also assert that you inadvertently came across the images on your computer, therefore you did not knowingly access them—the images were unsolicited. If you report in a timely manner (usually within 3 days) that you have received such unsolicited images, then you cannot be guilty of Internet child pornography. 

Your attorney may also show that your Miranda Rights were violated. Perhaps you were intimidated or tricked into making a confession or incriminating statement, your rights were not read to you, or you were denied the right to an attorney. The police may have taken your computer without a valid search warrant, or otherwise violated your rights in some way. If your rights were violated in any way, the legal team at Ciccarelli Law Offices will use this to help you with your charges. 

Were You Arrested for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor?

If you are facing charges of child pornography or sexual exploitation of a minor, you need a law firm on your side from the very start. These are serious and life-changing criminal charges, and they should not be taken lightly. You can face significant penalties and consequences if convicted, and your reputation in your community may be damaged. You need an aggressive Arizona criminal defense lawyer on your side. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, our Arizona Criminal Defense lawyers have the experience and resources you need to fight these charges.

Call a Phoenix Child Pornography Attorney Today

If you or somebody you love is facing accusations or charges of Sex Crimes in the greater Phoenix metro area, Maricopa County including but not limited to Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale or Gilbert, you need to contact an attorney immediately. Not any attorney will do, and you likely need a team of Smart, Experienced, Aggressive, determined lawyers that fight back at sex crimes and discuss you or your loved one’s possible defenses and strategies.   Call now. Now is the time for action and the time for Lee Ciccarelli and his team.