Raleigh Child Pornography Lawyer

Child Pornography Attorney in Raleigh, NC

A child pornography investigation or charge is one of the most serious legal matters that an individual can encounter. You may face prison, registration as a sex offender, and lifetime damage to your reputation and career. If you are under investigation or have already been charged, it is critical that you speak to a Raleigh child pornography lawyer as soon as possible. 

Child pornography investigations and prosecutions are complex and move very fast, and you need a legal team on your side from day one.

About Granados Law Group

Granados Law Group was re-launched in 2023, and it builds on years of previous criminal defense experience. Attorney Lindsey Granados previously maintained the Granados Law Group name from 2008 to 2014, prior to a career detour as a Wake County Domestic Violence prosecutor. In that role, she gained insider knowledge of how Wake County prosecutors view a case, how they analyze evidence, and how they go to trial. After leaving the DA’s office, Attorney Granados continued to help individuals charged with the most serious felony offenses, bringing the full scope of her experience to benefit her clients.

Granados Law Group continues to use that prosecutorial experience to defend the rights of the accused. Our practice is located in Wake County, but our legal team manages traffic violations, misdemeanor offenses, and felony cases throughout Wake County. We also represent clients in federal criminal matters within the Eastern District of North Carolina, as well as processing expungement requests in every county in North Carolina.

Types of Child Pornography Charges

A child pornography case can revolve around the possession, distribution, or creation of pornographic material with minors in Raleigh. These cases often involve digital evidence that can be found on a computer, on a cell phone, in cloud storage or on a hard drive, on social media, or on the internet. The investigation may be conducted by local police officers, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and/or federal law enforcement. 

It can be confusing and surprising to learn how child pornography cases arise. Files can be inadvertently downloaded, shared via peer-to-peer file-sharing programs without knowledge or intent, or not be what they appear to be. 

Of those convicted of child pornography, 45.8% were found guilty of possessing it, 43.1% of trafficking it, and 11.1% of receiving it.

Relevant Child Pornography Laws

Child pornography is illegal in North Carolina. Charges for child pornography are usually brought under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-190.15, which makes it illegal to make, show, publish, possess, or have control over obscene material that depicts a minor. Under this statute:

• Child pornography possession is a Class H felony.
• Distribution or production of child pornography is a Class C felony.

Distribution is significantly more serious and carries much harsher penalties. Convictions of child pornography charges in North Carolina can lead to significant prison time, fines, and mandatory sex offender registration.

In addition to the above, child pornography charges may also be brought under federal law if the material involves crossing state lines or distribution over the internet. Federal statutes, including 18 U.S.C. § 2252 and § 2252A, address the possession, distribution, and receipt of child pornography. Federal laws include mandatory minimum sentences for certain violations and are prosecuted in federal courts. You might be surprised to learn that even a single instance of receiving child pornography can lead to a five-year mandatory minimum sentence in federal prison. Many times, people may be arrested by law enforcement in their local county, and while that prosecution is pending, the federal government might express interest in adopting the case. In that instance, you do not want to plead guilty to anything in State court because you could also be charged Federally. Typically, it is best to wait to determine if the Feds want to take the case or not; often, the State charges will get dismissed if the case gets adopted federally. 

Child pornography cases in Wake County are typically heard in the Wake County Justice Center located at 300 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. However, if the case is under federal jurisdiction, it is generally heard in the federal courthouse for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Hire a Child Pornography Lawyer Right Away

If you are the subject of an investigation or have been arrested, you need to hire a child pornography lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can make a significant difference in your case by working early in the process to prevent mistakes that could be detrimental to you, limiting the scope of your exposure to other crimes, and making sure that law enforcement officials and investigators honor your rights under the U.S. Constitution.

An experienced Raleigh child pornography attorney can file motions to suppress evidence from illegal searches and seizures and work out plea agreements with prosecutors where it makes sense. Most importantly, your lawyer can fight for you and your rights when you need a strong voice the most. You need an experienced legal team on your side when you face criminal charges that could destroy your life and send you to prison.

FAQs

Can You Get in Trouble for Inappropriate Internet Searches?

No, you can’t get in trouble for inappropriate internet searches. It is not a crime to type words into a search engine in the United States. Individual search terms are not illegal, though your search history can be used as evidence against you if you are suspected of a crime. The problem comes if you knowingly access, download, or possess illegal material.

Is It Illegal for Minors to Look at NSFW material?

No, it is not illegal for minors to look at NSFW material. Federal law prohibits all individuals from viewing, possessing, or distributing sexually explicit media that features minors. Other age‑limits on general adult material are based on platform rules or state civil law and usually aren’t criminal offenses by themselves.

How Much Does a Child Pornography Lawyer Cost? 

How much a child pornography lawyer costs can vary from one case to another. Legal fees are generally based on how much time the lawyer spends on the case, so the overall cost depends on several factors, such as the specific charges involved, the complexity of the case, whether the defendant has a prior record of similar charges or convictions, and more. Be sure to ask about fees, fee structure, and payment in the initial consultation with your attorney. It can also be beneficial to have a lawyer who practices in both State and Federal courts, so that you can utilize the same lawyer in Federal court if the case is taken to Federal court. 

How Long Does a Child Pornography Case Take to Resolve?

How long a child pornography case takes to resolve depends on the unique facts of the case, such as the amount and quality of evidence, whether the offense is charged at a state or federal level, and other factors. The biggest indicator of how long a case takes to resolve is often whether the case can be resolved through pre-trial motions or negotiating a plea bargain, or if it has to go to trial in court. 

Contact Granados Law Group

If you have been accused or charged with child pornography, it is important to seek legal counsel right away. A mere accusation can bring about negative consequences. Granados Law Group can help. Contact us today to begin securing your future.