Grandview, MO

Child pornography defense lawyer in Grandview, 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 have been accused of having or distributing child pornography in the Grandview, MO area, you could be facing a felony charge and mandatory Missouri sex offender registration if convicted. Don’t leave your defense to chance.

Reach out to the criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte as soon as possible by calling (314) 900-HELP or contacting us online to schedule a complimentary, no-strings-attached consultation. Our skilled child pornography defense lawyer is ready to meet with you personally, analyze the details of your case, and offer insights on the appropriate course of action.

What Can Lead to Child Pornography Charges in Grandview, MO?

While there might be prevalent stereotypes, child pornography charges come about in all walks of life throughout the Grandview, MO area. Missouri Revised Statute § 573.010 defines child pornography as any obscene material or performance depicting sexual conduct, contact, or sexual performance, including a minor under 18 years old as a participant or portrayed observer of the material.

According to RSMo § 573.037, an individual is charged with the offense of child pornography if they knowingly or recklessly possess any child pornography of a minor under 18 years of age or obscene material portraying what seems to be a minor under 18 years of age.

A few specific instances of child pornography charges in Grandview and elsewhere in Missouri 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: Encompasses filming, photographing, or participating in any aspect of the creation process of child pornography.

If you are facing charges or have been questioned regarding any of these examples – or any other child pornography charges in Grandview, MO – call Combs Waterkotte right away at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online. Having an experienced advocate by your side is crucial to safeguarding your reputation, your rights, and your future.

What Are the Penalties for Child Pornography in Grandview, MO?

Statutorily, under RSMo § 573.037, the offense of child pornography is a class D felony if you possess only one still image of child pornography or one obscene still image. The offense becomes a class B felony in Grandview, MO if you:

• Possess over 20 still images of child pornography
• Possess over 20 obscene still images
• Possess child pornography comprised of one motion picture, film, videotape, videotape production, or other moving image
• Possess obscene material comprised 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 Grandview, MO

The promotion of child pornography to an adult is a class C felony, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and fines. Additionally:

• 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.
• If you have had a previous child pornography conviction, wholesale promotion of child porn, or promoting child porn to a minor in Missouri, it’s a class D felony and could mean 4 years in prison and fines.

Legal Ramifications for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the Grandview, MO Area

If you are facing sexploitation charges, you are facing a class B felony. However, if the child involved was under 14 years old the charges are elevated to a class A felony, carrying a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.

Mandatory Sex Offender Registration in Grandview, MO and Throughout Missouri

Under RSMo § 589.400, individuals charged with specific crimes are obligated to register with the Missouri Sex Offender Registry within three days of their conviction or release from jail, prision, or probation:

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 typically include 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. These offenses include possession of child pornography, indecent exposure, and other nonviolent sexual crimes against minors.
• Tier II Offenders: These 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 Failing to Register as a Sex Offender in Grandview and Throughout Missouri

Failure to register as a sex offender is considered a class E felony unless you are 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 14 years of age, in which case it turns into 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 Grandview, MO child pornography attorneys, we provide help in the following practice areas for clients in Grandview and anywhere in Missouri:

• Child Abuse & Neglect Lawyer
• Homicide Lawyer
• Assault Lawyer
• Rape Defense Lawyer
• Sex Offense Lawyers
• DWI Attorney
• Crime Defense Lawyers
• Domestic Violence Defense Attorneys

What Are Common Defenses Against Child Pornography Charges in Grandview, MO?

The Combs Waterkotte skilled Grandview, MO child pornography defense team has a combined 60-plus years of experience defending clients throughout Grandview, MO in cases just like yours. While each case presents its own unique circumstances, our attorneys employ various defense strategies, including:

Unintentional Possession Defense

Also known as “unintended possession,” this defense argues that you did not intend to possess child pornography in or around Grandview, MO, or that the material didn’t belong to you. You also may not have even been aware of the existence of child porn. This may be used if child porn was discovered on a computer or hard drive that is shared, or to which individuals other than you may have had access without your knowledge. You also could have used an unsecured or shared network which enabled another individual to download child porn. An angry co-worker, employee, friend, ex-spouse, or other revengeful individual may be motivated to download child porn on your computer or hard drive in order to frame you in Grandview, MO.

Your knowledgeable Combs Waterkotte defense attorney will work to establish that you were not aware of possessing child porn. Give us a call today at (314) 900-HELP or reach out to us online.

Accidental Possession Defense

The internet poses various threats, and your computer is susceptible to viruses, spyware, malware, spam, or other elements without your knowledge. These intrusions could include child pornography or other obscene materials. Many individuals throughout Grandview and Missouri have files on their computers that they are unaware of. An accidental possession defense argues that you did not knowingly possess child pornography, emphasizing the unintentional nature of its presence on your device.

A “Not Child Porn” Defense

This defense challenges the prosecution’s burden to prove that the subject of the material in question was under 18 years of age. Also, if the material in question serves a scientific, religious, or educational purpose it should not be considered child pornography.

Illegal Search and Seizure

Law enforcement often makes procedural errors violating an individual’s Fourth Amendment rights under the Constitution. The Combs Waterkotte defense team is vigilant in safeguarding your rights, future, and best interests. If evidence was seized illegally, your Grandview, MO child pornography defense lawyer will argue its inadmissibility.

Entrapment

Entrapment can occur in a variety of circumstances throughout the Grandview, MO area. The defense is rooted in the fact that you would not have committed the offense if law enforcement hadn’t initiated contact with you and persuaded you to do so. In some cases, officers may induce individuals to purchase content that 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 realize, especially in instances where law enforcement conducts child porn sting operations, rounding up a multitude of individuals, not all of whom are guilty.

Psychological Addiction/Mitigating Circumstances

While not guaranteed to result in acquittal, claiming a psychological addiction to child pornography can serve as a strategy to minimize your sentence or, in some cases, avoid imprisonment through participation in a treatment program and probation. Your Combs Waterkotte Grandview, MO defense attorney may present various mitigating factors, such as mental health issues, a history of abuse or neglect, extreme stress or anxiety, family conflict, lack of guidance as a child, and more.

Don’t Wait – Reach Out to a Grandview, MO Child Pornography Defense Lawyer Now at Combs Waterkotte

Child pornography charges are serious and can cast enduring, if not permanent, shadows on your reputation and future in Grandview, MO. However, even in the face of such severity, there exist defenses that can wield effectively by the adept and relentless Combs Waterkotte legal team. Attempting to navigate the uncertainties and intricacies of the legal system in Grandview or Missouri along is ill-advised.

We know that good people often find themselves caught in unfortunate circumstances in Grandview and throughout Missouri. We’re here to help. Call our expert Grandview, MO child pornography defense lawyers today at (314) 900-HELP or fill out our online contact form to arrange a free, confidential consultation.