Westchester County Child Pornography Criminal Defense

How the Police Investigate Child Pornography Cases

While there are numerous ways that the police may investigate a child pornography case, the most common involve:

1. Undercover operations, including the coordination between federal and local law enforcement
2. Reviews of Internet Service Provider (ISP) records
3. Direct complaints by the public
4. Direct complains by aggrieved family members
5. Reporting to and by school officials

Typical investigations occur over time, lasting weeks, months or even years. If you even suspect that you might be the subject of an investigation for a child pornography offense it is crucial that you act to protect yourself by contacting a sex offense lawyer immediately.

The Federal Definition of Child Pornography

Child pornography is defined to mean any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where the production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct and such visual depiction is a digital image, computer image, or computer-generated image that is, or is indistinguishable from, that of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or such visual depiction has been created, adapted, or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

New York’s Child Pornography Offenses

The prosecution of child pornography charges generally falls into these four categories:

1. Obscenity
2. Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors
3. Sexual Performance of a Child
4. Endangering the Welfare of a Child

The Penalties for a Child Pornography Conviction

Sentences in these types of cases depend on the facts of your case, your background and other factors. The penalties vary from from prison, probation, mandatory registration as a sex offender, deportation, fines and surcharges, DNA registration, therapy and treatment, and other devastating life long consequences.

At Riebling & Payton, PLLC, our Westchester criminal defense lawyers have an proven record of defending child pornography cases from trial verdicts to obtaining reduced charges with sentences.

Since our offices are conveniently located in Mount Kisco, NY and White Plains, NY, we are able to conveniently serve our clients throughout Westchester County and the surrounding areas. Contact Us to find out how we can protect your rights and interests - (914) 712-6878.