Severn Child Pornography Defense Lawyer

CSAM Defense Attorney Handling State and Federal Cases in Severn, MD

There are multiple categories of criminal offenses that can lead to penalties for people who face accusations. Sex crime charges can be especially serious, especially when they involve the sexual abuse of children. Child pornography offenses may arise in cases where people are accused of accessing, saving, sharing, or creating materials that depict minors who are engaging in sexual conduct. Child pornography is also referred to as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). People who are charged with these offenses may struggle to defend against convictions.

Because the consequences that people may face in cases involving CSAM can be substantial, it is important to take the right steps to address these accusations and build a strong defense strategy. The lawyers at Silverman Thompson have the skills and experience needed to help people in Severn who are facing child pornography charges. Our criminal defense team understands how these cases are investigated and prosecuted, and we will make sure a person can respond to the accusations against them and resolve a case successfully.

How Law Enforcement Officials Investigate CSAM Offenses

Understanding the investigative methods can help determine the defense strategies that may be available. Our attorneys can advise clients on how to address issues such as:

Monitoring File-Sharing Apps

Different types of software may be used to download or share files online. Investigators will often monitor activity on these apps, and when they determine that child pornography has been downloaded, they will take steps to identify the parties involved. In many cases, they will trace activity to a specific IP address, which may be associated with a computer or internet connection. After identifying the account holder, they may arrest that person.

It is important to understand that even if activity is associated with an IP address, this may not prove that a specific person was the one who accessed child pornography. Multiple people may use wireless networks or devices, and it may be difficult to determine who did what. In some cases, WiFi networks may be unsecured, and they could have been accessed by a neighbor or someone else. Our lawyers can help clients show that they were not the person who used a network or device to access or share child pornography and that they did not know about any illegal materials.

Undercover Operations

In addition to monitoring online activity, law enforcement agencies may directly interact with people who are suspected of offenses related to child pornography. During sting operations, officers may communicate with suspects and ask them to share child pornography, or they may attempt to get someone to download CSAM. In these cases, our attorneys can review message logs or other evidence to determine whether entrapment occurred. We may take steps to show that a person would not have engaged in any illegal activities if they had not been persuaded to do so by undercover officers.

Device Seizures and Forensic Examinations

When a person is suspected of a child pornography offense, police officers may obtain a search warrant allowing them to search their home and seize any devices that may have been used to download or upload CSAM. They may then examine devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, or flash drives. They may try to find CSAM that was stored on a device, or they may look at data related to a person's online activity to see if it involved CSAM.

Our lawyers will carefully review search warrants and the procedures followed by officers to determine whether our client's rights were violated. We may challenge search warrants by showing that there was no probable cause to believe that a person had committed a CSAM-related offense. We may also look at whether officers conducted searches and seizures that went beyond what was authorized in a search warrant. Taking steps to exclude evidence that was obtained through an unlawful search may help our client to avoid a conviction.

Even when searches were conducted lawfully, we may argue that the evidence does not prove that our client committed the offense in question. In a situation where multiple people had access to a device, we may argue that our client had no knowledge of child pornography that had been accessed, saved, or shared. By reviewing device logs and data related to online activity, we may be able to show that CSAM had been downloaded without our client's knowledge due to viruses or malware on their computer.

The Importance of Acting Quickly to Defend Against CSAM Charges

Criminal cases often move quickly. When a person learns that they are being investigated for a crime involving child pornography, they may not know how to respond. Police officers may question them or seize their devices before performing an arrest or filing charges. The actions they take can affect the outcome of their case, so they will want to make sure to protect their rights.

The most important thing anyone can do when they learn that they may face child pornography charges is to contact an attorney. This should be done before speaking to police or providing them with information. A person can exercise their right to remain silent, which will ensure that they do not incriminate themselves. They can also exercise their right to legal representation by stating that they will not answer any questions until they have spoken to an attorney. At Silverman Thompson, we can make sure clients take the right steps to defend themselves without saying or doing anything that could be incriminating.

Contact Our Severn Child Pornography Attorneys

When you have found out about an investigation related to child pornography, reach out to Silverman Thompson right away to get legal help. Our attorneys will inform you of your rights and your options for defense while making sure you take the right steps to avoid a conviction. Arrange a free consultation by contacting our Severn, MD CSAM lawyers at 410-385-2225.