If you were charged with possession or another type of offense involving child pornography, you need an experienced and dedicated defense lawyer to defend you in court. At Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC, we have represented clients in Chicago and throughout Illinois since 1990. We are aggressive in our efforts to get sentencing penalties reduced, or the case dismissed entirely.
Possession of child pornography is a serious offense in Illinois. It can significantly affect your future and lead to a range of life-altering consequences. You could serve time in prison and be forced to pay expensive fines. Even if you’re found not guilty of the charges, an arrest can cause you to lose your job, tear apart your family, and ruin your reputation.
Defending against charges involving child pornography can be complicated. You shouldn’t attempt to handle your case yourself. Prosecutors aggressively pursue cases like this and aim to seek harsh penalties. Without a knowledgeable and experienced legal team in your corner, you will likely face imprisonment.
The Chicago sex crime defense attorneys of Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC are ready to be your advocates during this challenging time in your life. We will create a defense strategy to fight the charges you face and refute the prosecution’s case. You can depend on us to work towards a favorable outcome to secure your freedom and future.
Call Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC at (312) 644-0444 right now for a free consultation with one of our Chicago child pornography defense attorneys.
Child Pornography Offenses in Chicago
According to 720 ILCS 5/11-20.1, someone commits a child pornography offense if they:
- Photograph, film, videotape, or otherwise portray or depict by means of a similar reproduction or medium or depicts by computer any child they know or should reasonably know is under 18 years old or any person with a profound or severe intellectual disability;
- Have knowledge of the content or nature of and reproduces, disseminates, or intends to disseminate any photograph, videotape, film, or another similar visual depiction or reproduction by computer of a child or person with a profound or severe intellectual disability they know or should reasonably know is under 18 years old or has a profound or severe intellectual disability;
- Have knowledge of the theme or subject matter of and produces any film, stage play, live performance, videotape, or another similar visual portrayal or depiction by computer involving a child they know or should reasonably know is under 18 years old or a person with a profound or severe intellectual disability;
- Are a parent, stepparent, legal guardian, or another individual with custody or care of a child under 18 years old and know or should reasonably know the child is under 18 or has a severe or profound intellectual disability and knowingly promotes, permits, arranges, or induces the child to appear in a live performance, stage play, photograph, film, visual presentation, videotape, or depiction or simulation by a computer;
- Have knowledge of the nature or content of and possess any photograph, videotape, film, or another visual depiction or reproduction by computer of a child they know or should reasonably know to be under 18 or have a severe or profound intellectual disability; or
- Solicits or knowingly induces, uses, entices, persuades, or coerces someone to provide a person with a profound or severe intellectual disability or child under 18 years old to appear in a photograph, live presentation, videotape, stage play, film, or similar visual reproduction or depiction by computer depicting the child or person with an intellectual disability in a pose, act, or setting.
The charge of child pornography increases to aggravated child pornography if the victim is under 13 years old.
Sentencing for Child Pornography Crimes
Illinois law provides sentencing guidelines for various types of sex crimes. If convicted of a child pornography offense, you could face imprisonment, fines, and other penalties.
Child pornography and aggravated child pornography are felonies. There are several classes of felonies with varying sentencing guidelines. The judge can review the circumstances of the crime and consider additional factors to determine if a prison term should be served based on the guidelines.
The sentence you could face will depend on the type of offense you were charged with and the victim’s age. For example, an aggravated child pornography crime involves a child under 13 years old. This is considered a class X felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a maximum of a $100,000 fine. A charge of possession of child pornography is a class 3 felony, punishable by no more than five years in prison.
Child pornography and aggravated child pornography convictions also require registering as a sex offender according to the Sex Offender Registration Act. Anyone charged with these crimes must register in person with the local police department within a certain number of days after establishing a place of employment, residence, or temporary domicile or within a certain number of days after starting school.
The Illinois State Police requires the offender to provide information, such as:
- Current photo of oneself
- Phone number, including any cell number
- Current address
- Current place of employment and employer’s phone number
- All email addresses
- Internet communication identities used or that they are planning to use
Registered sex offenders are prohibited from:
- Loitering or being present within 500 feet of a school or property of the school that children under 18 years old attend, including daycare facilities
- Residing within 500 feet of a school that children under 18 attend and within 500 feet of a child daycare center or playground
- Being present or loitering within 500 feet of a park where there are children under 18 years old unless the child is their own
You must update your registration anytime you change residences, employment, or other information you initially submitted when registering as a sex offender. You must also notify the local police department if you plan to stay somewhere other than your residence for at least three days.
Contact Us
If you face child pornography or aggravated child pornography charges, contact Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC right now to discuss your case. We can review the circumstances to determine the defense we can use to fight the charges against you. You won’t have to go through this overwhelming process alone
Call us at (312) 644-0444 today for a free consultation with one of our Chicago child pornography defense attorneys.