Georgia Child Pornography Defense Lawyer
The state of Georgia has several laws prohibiting child pornography and inappropriate interactions with children online. They basically come down to this: it is illegal to buy, possess, view, produce, promote, or distribute pornographic images of children. In addition, it is a crime to use the Internet or electronic devices to send or receive sexually explicit messages or images to or from minors, to arrange sexual encounters with children, or to provide a platform for others to do so.
A conviction for possession of child pornography or sexual exploitation of a child is very serious and may cost you both your freedom and your reputation. Being labeled a child sex offender carries a heavy social stigma. Fortunately, there are many ways to fight false charges. It is critical that you have proper representation as soon as you are accused of a crime. At the Berry Law Group, we can mount a vigorous defense and walk you through every step of the legal process.
What Are Georgia's Laws on Child Pornography and Exploitation?
Georgia has several statutes, some of which overlap, regarding the exploitation of children online. There are also federal laws that apply to this type of offense. Thus, it can be confusing to determine what exactly the law is in this regard. There are three major Georgia statutes that apply to Internet sex crimes involving minors. They include:
Sexual Exploitation of Children (O.C.G.A. 16-12-100)
This statute prohibits the possession of child pornography. It also makes it a crime to produce, promote, transmit, buy, sell, exhibit, or distribute child pornography.
This law makes it illegal to solicit a child online for sexual purposes or to provide information online to assist others in sexually exploiting children. It also prohibits "obscene Internet contact" with minors.
Electronically Furnishing Obscene Material To Minors (16-12-100.1)
This law makes it a crime to send sexually explicit material to anyone under 18 years of age using an electronic service. The obscene material may involve written messages and/or images
Defense To Internet Sex Crimes Charges
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
I did not know I was viewing/communicating with a minor:
It is illegal to exchange sexually explicit messages with anyone under 18 years of age in Georgia. However, the law specifies that a person must know -- or should reasonably know -- that they are communicating with a minor to be guilty of a crime.
Someone else used my computer to commit illegal acts:
If you share a computer or a household with other people, it may be difficult to determine who was using your computer in the commission of a crime. If someone else used your computer to commit illegal acts, you are not guilty.
My computer was hacked/infected with malware:
If child pornography was found on your computer and you did not put it there, a forensic investigator may be able to trace the illegal material back to a malicious hacker.
I accidentally downloaded child pornography:
While this may seem unlikely, it is very possible to inadvertently download illegal material. With the popularity of pornographic file sharing websites, men looking for legal pornography can occasionally download large batches of images without knowing what they contain. Once again, a forensic investigator may be able to find evidence of whether this was the case.
How A Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Can Help
The Berry Law Group is uniquely qualified to help those unjustly accused of Internet sex crimes. We have years of experience representing innocent men who have been charged with sexually based offenses. While society may be quick to judge, we understand that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Attorney Kimberly Berry has firsthand experience working with men who face false charges. She will listen to your side of the story with an open mind and lay out the best strategy for your case. Contact the Berry Law Group for a free consultation so we can begin working on your behalf.