Child pornography defense lawyer in Butler County, MO. Facing allegations of or charges for the possession or distribution of child pornography threatens to destroy both your reputation and your future. If you’ve been charged for having or distributing child pornography in the Butler County, MO area, you could be facing felony charges and mandatory Missouri sex offender registration if convicted. Don’t leave your defense to chance.
Call the criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte immediately at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our expert child pornography defense lawyer will meet with you one-and-one, discuss the specifics of your case, and provide guidance on next steps.
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What Can Lead to Child Pornography Charges in Butler County, MO?
Despite prevailing stereotypes, child pornography charges can impact individuals from all walks of life in and around Butler County, MO. As outlined in Missouri Revised Statute § 573.010, child pornography is defined as any material or performance that is obscene and depicts sexual conduct, contact, or sexual performance, involving a minor under 18 years old as a participant or portrayed observer.
According to RSMo § 573.037, a person is charged with the offense of child pornography if such person knowingly or recklessly possesses any child pornography featuring a minor under 18 years old or obscene material portraying what appears to be a minor below 18 years old.
A few examples of specific child pornography charges in the Butler County, MO area are:
- Possessing Child Pornography: The act of having child porn in one’s possession, irrespective of the quantity or form – digital, physical, etc.
- Promoting Child Pornography: Distributing or selling child pornography to an adult, or promoting adult pornography to a minor.
- Sexual Exploitation of a Minor: Filming, photographing, or participating in any aspect of the creation process of child pornography.
If you are confronted with charges related to any of these instances or other child pornography charges, it is imperative to contact Combs Waterkotte now at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online. You need an experienced advocate on your side to protect your reputation, your rights, and your future.
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What Are the Legal Ramifications for Child Pornography in Butler County, MO?
From a statutory perspective, as outlined in RSMo § 573.037, the offense of child pornography is considered a class D felony when possessing just one still image of child pornography or one still image considered obscene. The severity of the offense escalates to a class B felony in Butler County, MO if any of the following conditions are met:
- Possess more than 20 still images of child pornography
- Possess more than 20 obscene still images
- Possess child pornography comprised of one motion picture, film, videotape, videotape production, or other moving image
- Possess obscene material in the form of one motion picture, film, videotape, videotape production, or other moving image
- Have previously been found guilty of an offense under this section
Legal Ramifications for Promotion of Child Pornography in and Around Butler County, MO
The promotion of child pornography to an adult is a class C felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison along with fines. Also:
- If you knowingly promote child porn to a minor, or promote obscene material of a child under 14 years of age, you could be facing a class B felony, leading to imprisonment for a duration of 5-15 years.
- Individuals with a prior child pornography conviction, engaging in widespread promotion of child pornography or promoting it to a minor, may face a class D felony, punishable by 4 years in prison and fines.
Legal Ramifications for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the Butler County, MO Area
Charges related to sexual exploitation of a minor are categorized as a class B felony. However, if the child involved was under 14 years of age the charges are elevated to a class A felony, carrying a minimum prison sentence of 10 years with a maximum of life in prison.
Butler County Resources
Below are quick links to important websites that may assist you with your legal matters in Butler County and Missouri.
Who Has to Register as a Sex Offender in Butler County, MO and Throughout Missouri?
Under RSMo § 589.400, any individual charged with the following crimes is required to register with the Missouri Sex Offender Registry within three days of their conviction or release from jail, prision, or probation:
- Possessing and/or promoting child pornography
- Using children in sexual performances
- Promoting sexual performance by children
- Sexually exploiting a minor
- Public display of sexually explicit material
- Promoting pornography for minors
- Promoting obscenity
- Coercing others to accept obscene materials
- Promoting prostitution
- Sexual contact with nursing home residents
Missouri also breaks down offenders into different tiers for sex offender registration requirements, including:
- Tier I Offenders: These have a 15-year registration requirement and must report to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) in person once a year. These offenses do not include child pornography, and are for misdemeanor sexual offenses or minor statutory offenses.
- Tier II Offenders: Offenders in this tier face a 25-year registration requirement and must report to the CLEO in person semiannually. Offenses in this category may include possession of child pornography, indecent exposure, and other nonviolent sexual crimes against minors.
- Tier II Offenders: Individuals in this tier have a lifetime registration requirement and must report to the CLEO in person every 90 days. These offenses include violent acts such as rape, child molestation, sexual assault, as well as repeat offenses.
Penalties for Not Registering as a Sex Offender in Butler County and Throughout Missouri
Failure to register as a sex offender is a class E felony unless the individual is required to register after being charged with an offense in chapter 566 as an unclassified felony, a class A or B felony, or a felony involving a child under the age of 14, in which case it becomes a class D felony.
Combs Waterkotte is an award-winning criminal defense law firm based in St. Louis. Along with expert legal representation from our skilled Butler County, MO child pornography lawyers, we provide help in the following practice areas for clients in Butler County and anywhere in Missouri:
What Are Common Defenses Against Child Pornography Charges in Butler County, MO?
The Combs Waterkotte skilled Butler County, MO child pornography defense team has a combined 60-plus years of experience defending clients throughout Butler County, MO in cases just like yours. While every case is different with unique circumstances, some defense strategies our attorneys have used include:
Unintentional Possession Defense
The basis of this defense, also commonly referred to as “unintended possession,” is that you didn’t mean to have child porn in your possession, or that the material didn’t belong to you. It could be applicable if child pornography was found on a shared computer or hard drive or on a device accessible to individuals other than yourself without your knowledge. An unintentional download through an unsecured network or the malicious actions of a vengeful ex-spouse or someone else in Butler County, MO could also be considered.
Your Combs Waterkotte defense attorney will work to establish that you were not aware of possessing child porn. Call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online.
An Accidental Possession Defense
The internet can be a treacherous environment. Your computer is continuously subjected to viruses, spyware, malware, spam, or various other inputs without your knowledge or consent. These intrusions could easily include child pornography or other obscene materials. You, like many other individuals in Butler County and throughout Missouri, have numerous files on your computer you didn’t even know existed.
“Not Child Porn” Defense
This defense challenges the prosecution’s burden to prove that material in question involves anyone under the age of 18. Also, if the material serves a scientific, religious, or educational purpose it should not be considered child pornography.
Illegal Search and Seizure
Law enforcement may make procedural errors violating an individual’s Fourth Amendment rights under the Constitution. The defense team at Combs Waterkotte is vigilant in safeguarding your rights, future, and best interests. If evidence was seized illegally, your Butler County, MO child pornography defense lawyer will argue its inadmissibility.
Entrapment
Entrapment can manifest in various circumstances throughout Missouri. The defense is rooted in the fact that you would not have committed the offense if law enforcement hadn’t contacted you and persuaded you to do so. In some cases, officers may induce individuals to purchase content which wasn’t clearly labeled or believed to be child porn, only to arrest them for buying child porn. Entrapment occurs more frequently than we might know – particularly when law enforcement runs a child porn sting operation which may round up a multitude of people, not all of whom are guilty.
Psychological Addiction/Mitigating Circumstances
While it isn’t necessarily a winning defense, claiming a psychological addiction to child pornography can serve as a strategy to reduce your sentence or, in some cases, avoid imprisonment via a treatment program and probation. Some mitigating factors your Combs Waterkotte Butler County, MO defense lawyer can present could include mental health issues, a history of abuse or neglect, extreme stress or anxiety, family conflict, lack of guidance as a child, and others.
Don’t Hesitate – Connect With a Butler County, MO Child Pornography Defense Lawyer Right Away at Combs Waterkotte
Child pornography charges are gravely serious and can have lasting, if not permanent, implications on your reputation and future in Butler County, MO. But, as serious as they are, there are defenses available from the skilled and tenacious Combs Waterkotte legal team. Don’t try to navigate the uncertainties and complexities of the Butler County or Missouri legal system on your own.
We understand that good people often find themselves caught in bad situations in Butler County and throughout Missouri. We are here to help. Call our expert Butler County, MO child pornography defense lawyers right away at (314) 900-HELP or complete our online contact form to arrange a free, confidential case review.
