Parkville Child Pornography Defense Attorneys

Lawyers Defending Clients Against CSAM-Related Charges in Parkville, MD

People who are accused of crimes involving child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), which is another term for child pornography, are likely to face serious penalties if they are convicted. The issues a person may face can begin as soon as an accusation is made. Even before they face criminal charges, their reputation, relationships, and career may suffer harm. They may be unsure about how to address the accusations, and if they are convicted, they may face a long prison sentence, tens of thousands of dollars in fines, and a designation as a convicted sex offender.

Because of the complex legal issues that can affect child pornography cases and the severity of the effects on a person's life, legal representation from an experienced criminal defense lawyer is essential from the very first moment a person learns about accusations or an investigation. At Silverman Thompson, we can defend people in Parkville who are facing child pornography charges. With our knowledge of state and federal laws and our experience helping clients address these accusations, we can make sure the right steps will be taken to defend against a conviction.

How Online Activities Can Lead to CSAM Charges

The majority of modern child pornography cases involve digital evidence. Law enforcement officials may review files that have been stored on electronic devices, a person's online activity, and messages sent through email, texts, social media, or other means. Understanding how online conduct may affect criminal charges can be crucial in a case involving CSAM charges, and this can determine the defense strategies that may be available.

Accessing and Downloading Child Pornography

Charges of child pornography possession may involve claims that a person accessed illegal materials online. They may be accused of viewing images or videos on a website, downloading files to a computer or other device, or storing files on an external drive or a cloud storage account.

A person may be charged with CSA possession based on claims that they intentionally accessed illegal materials and saved or retained them. However, there may be some cases where a person did not intend to view illegal materials, but files were automatically downloaded by an internet browser. In other cases, a person may have used file-sharing services, and CSAM may have been stored on their device without their knowledge or intent. Illegal materials may also be downloaded without a person's knowledge because their device had been infected by malware.

During investigations, law enforcement officials may identify potential suspects by flagging IP addresses that have been used to download or access CSAM. However, an IP address may be associated with a specific device or network. When multiple people use a device, or when multiple people have access to a home WiFi network, questions may arise about who accessed CSAM and whether the person charged with an offense was aware of the materials.

Distribution of Child Pornography

Charges related to the distribution of CSAM are more serious than child pornography possession charges. A person may be accused of child pornography distribution based on claims that they shared, transmitted, or made CSAM available to others. These charges will often be based on online activities, including cases where people are accused of uploading CSAM to websites, storing files in cloud storage accounts that could be accessed by other people, or sending materials to others using email or messaging apps.

CSAM distribution charges will often involve file-sharing software. In many cases, content that a person has downloaded may be available to others who use these networks. This could lead to accusations that a person was involved in distributing CSAM, even if they never deliberately sent files to any specific person.

In situations where a person is accused of uploading material to online forums or file hosting services or directly sending materials to someone, the methods used to investigate these offenses can play a role in a case. If undercover officers conducted sting operations where they communicated with someone online and encouraged them to distribute CSAM, questions may arise about whether they engaged in entrapment. Our attorneys can evaluate the investigative methods used in these cases and identify the best defense strategies for our clients.

Charges Involving Creating or Profiting From Child Pornography

Some of the most serious charges related to child pornography will involve the production of child sexual abuse materials. These charges may apply if a person is accused of taking sexually explicit photographs of a minor or recording videos in which minors are engaging in sexual conduct. Any involvement in these types of recordings, including persuading or coercing a minor into engaging in the creation of CSAM, can lead to serious criminal charges.

In some cases, a person may be charged with CSAM production charges even if they were not physically present with a minor when materials were created. A person who encourages a minor to livestream sexual conduct online may be charged with child pornography production. Because computer-generated images may be considered CSAM if they depict actual children, a person may be charged with child pornography production if they use photo or video editing software or AI tools to create these types of materials.

People who are accused of profiting from the production, distribution, or sale of CSAM may also face charges of child pornography production. The sale of CSAM, the operation of platforms that distribute illegal content, or other financial benefits that a person has allegedly received for being involved in the creation of child pornography can lead to serious criminal charges.

Contact Our Parkville, MD Child Pornography Defense Lawyers

Due to the serious nature of CSAM charges, experienced legal representation is crucial for anyone who has been accused of possessing, distributing, or creating child pornography. At Silverman Thompson, our lawyers know how to address these charges, develop effective defense strategies, and protect our clients' rights. Contact our Parkville CSAM charges defense attorneys at 410-385-2225 to arrange your free consultation.