Internet Sex Crimes
Since minors are typically involved in these cases, charges of Internet sex crimes are quite serious. Those convicted of such crimes typically face long jail terms, being required to register as a sex offender, and/or wearing tracking devices so that one’s whereabouts are known. As a result, it’s crucial to retain an attorney who knows the specifics of Internet sex crime defense.
Cyberstalking
Like stalking, cyberstalking involves harassment, threatening messages, or unwanted attention from someone who is using the Internet or other online avenues such as email, chat rooms, message boards, and discussion forums. It can include frightening, sexual, or unwanted email, excessive junk email, online verbal abuse, strange posts on message boards or online guest books, sending online viruses, tracing a person’s compute or online activity, and/or identity theft. Many states have anti-cyberstalking and anti-harassment laws in place; in Massachusetts, stalking laws include prohibiting contact via email and the Internet. Stalking is a felony and punishment includes imprisonment up to five years or a fine of up to $1,000.
Possession of Child Pornography
Child pornography is the illegal use of minors in pornographic photos or films. Defense for these charges include a thorough understanding of whose computer or digital video the material exists on, where the material came from, and other possible reasons why the material is present, including other users, viruses, hacking, human error, and others. Punishment for being found guilty of possessing child pornography can include imprisonment for up to ten years and being required to register as a sex offender.
Distribution of Child Pornography
Beyond simply sending such material to one person or another, distribution includes peer-to-peer networks, privately printing images, saving the material to a disc or thumb drive, or storing the material in a separate area on a computer hard drive. Defense for this charge entails proving that the accused knew what was being distributed, and plausibly explaining why the material was stored where it was found. Punishment for being found guilty of distributing child pornography can include imprisonment from five to twenty years and being required to register as a sex offender.
Receipt of Child Pornography
Receiving such material carries a potential punishment of imprisonment from five to twenty years and being required to register as a sex offender.
Production of Child Pornography
Because of the interstate nature of many child pornography cases, it is likely that a production of child pornography charge will be heard in a federal court, with serious potential punishments. Contacting an attorney if you believe you will be, or have just been, charged with production of child pornography charges, is crucial to ensure that a fair trial is possible.
Sexual Solicitation & Importuning
These charges are when a person is charged with communicating with someone under the age of 18 online. This includes merely communicating or chatting about a potential meeting; an actual meeting in person may bring more charges. Defending such charges involves looking into potential entrapment, and other issues. Potential punishment includes prison time and registering as a sex offender.
Obscenity & Obscene Materials
The definition of obscenity varies, but something obscene is considered offensively sexual in nature and does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. Defense of these charges entails much research to prove material is not obscene.
Violations of Sexual Registration Requirements
Once convicted of a sex offense, a person typically must register as a sex offender. This can entail potential limitations on where one can live, computer use, medical treatment, travel, interacting with children, and public notification of one’s status. With such limitations, it’s possible for a person to breach the restrictions and face potential additional charges. A strong defense can help point out if a person needs additional treatment or might have a simple explanation for why the charge has been filed.
Child Enticement & Exploitation
This is behavior by an adult who tries to initiate sexual activity or a sexual relationship with a child, usually via contact online, particularly through social networking sites, chat rooms, bulletin boards, instant messaging, and email. Conviction of these charges includes extensive prison time.
If you or a loved one has been charged with any of the following charges, contact Altman & Altman at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 toll-free, or contact us online for a free consultation.
Cyberstalking
Like stalking, cyberstalking involves harassment, threatening messages, or unwanted attention from someone who is using the Internet or other online avenues such as email, chat rooms, message boards, and discussion forums. It can include frightening, sexual, or unwanted email, excessive junk email, online verbal abuse, strange posts on message boards or online guest books, sending online viruses, tracing a person’s compute or online activity, and/or identity theft. Many states have anti-cyberstalking and anti-harassment laws in place; in Massachusetts, stalking laws include prohibiting contact via email and the Internet. Stalking is a felony and punishment includes imprisonment up to five years or a fine of up to $1,000.
Possession of Child Pornography
Child pornography is the illegal use of minors in pornographic photos or films. Defense for these charges include a thorough understanding of whose computer or digital video the material exists on, where the material came from, and other possible reasons why the material is present, including other users, viruses, hacking, human error, and others. Punishment for being found guilty of possessing child pornography can include imprisonment for up to ten years and being required to register as a sex offender.
Distribution of Child Pornography
Beyond simply sending such material to one person or another, distribution includes peer-to-peer networks, privately printing images, saving the material to a disc or thumb drive, or storing the material in a separate area on a computer hard drive. Defense for this charge entails proving that the accused knew what was being distributed, and plausibly explaining why the material was stored where it was found. Punishment for being found guilty of distributing child pornography can include imprisonment from five to twenty years and being required to register as a sex offender.
Receipt of Child Pornography
Receiving such material carries a potential punishment of imprisonment from five to twenty years and being required to register as a sex offender.
Production of Child Pornography
Because of the interstate nature of many child pornography cases, it is likely that a production of child pornography charge will be heard in a federal court, with serious potential punishments. Contacting an attorney if you believe you will be, or have just been, charged with production of child pornography charges, is crucial to ensure that a fair trial is possible.
Sexual Solicitation & Importuning
These charges are when a person is charged with communicating with someone under the age of 18 online. This includes merely communicating or chatting about a potential meeting; an actual meeting in person may bring more charges. Defending such charges involves looking into potential entrapment, and other issues. Potential punishment includes prison time and registering as a sex offender.
Obscenity & Obscene Materials
The definition of obscenity varies, but something obscene is considered offensively sexual in nature and does not have serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value. Defense of these charges entails much research to prove material is not obscene.
Violations of Sexual Registration Requirements
Once convicted of a sex offense, a person typically must register as a sex offender. This can entail potential limitations on where one can live, computer use, medical treatment, travel, interacting with children, and public notification of one’s status. With such limitations, it’s possible for a person to breach the restrictions and face potential additional charges. A strong defense can help point out if a person needs additional treatment or might have a simple explanation for why the charge has been filed.
Child Enticement & Exploitation
This is behavior by an adult who tries to initiate sexual activity or a sexual relationship with a child, usually via contact online, particularly through social networking sites, chat rooms, bulletin boards, instant messaging, and email. Conviction of these charges includes extensive prison time.
If you or a loved one has been charged with any of the following charges, contact Altman & Altman at 617.492.3000 or 800.481.6199 toll-free, or contact us online for a free consultation.
