Tri-Cities, Washington Child Pornography Attorney

Have you been accused of and charged with child pornography crimes in Washington? The entirety of your future depends on how you react to the charges. You should begin by contacting Metro Law Firm and speaking to our Kennewick sex crimes attorney. Backed by 25+ years of legal experience and known for handling high-profile cases, our law firm could be the difference between you protecting your reputation and the criminal justice system slamming you with harsh penalties.

Washington Child Pornography Crimes

The law is incredibly unforgiving and strict in Washington when it comes to child pornography cases. Virtually any behavior or act that could be related to child pornography can constitute a felony crime.

Washington divides child pornography crimes into two prosecutorial groups:

• Viewing: A person who knowingly views a minor (anyone under the age of 18) depicted in a sexually explicit or exploitative scene and does not take immediate action to report it to the authorities can be charged with a sex crime.

• Possessing: Willing possessing a digital file, printed material, or video footage that includes a minor engaged in a sexual act is strictly illegal and often punished more severely than merely viewing such content.

Most child pornography charges in Washington will be booked as a Class C or Class B felony. It will take the work of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to have the charges reduced to a misdemeanor or lower-grade felony.

High-level felony charges in Washington can be penalized with:

• 1 to 10 years’ imprisonment

• 1 to 3 years’ probation following release

• Potential fines in the thousands

• Mandatory sex offender registration

Defense from Federal Child Pornography Charges

If you are charged for child pornography crimes by a state-level prosecutor, you must be aware that federal charges will soon follow.

It is a federal crime to do any of the following with images that depict child pornography:

• Produce

• Distribute

• Receive

• Possess

Due to the slight differences in legal definitions, it is possible for an individual to be charged with and convicted of both state and federal child pornography crimes. In many ways, this can feel like taking on two opponents and handling two cases at the same time. Make certain that your criminal defense attorney is capable of taking on the challenge and is well-versed in both state and federal sex crime laws.

Call Us to Schedule a Case Analysis

Kennewick Criminal Defense Attorney Gary Metro has successfully defended clients who were facing life behind bars with no chance of parole and his history of success ranges well into both state and federal courts. If you want to take your defense seriously after being accused of a child pornography crime, you really cannot gamble it on any attorney other than Attorney Metro of Metro Law Firm. Contact us at your first opportunity – the sooner you retain our services, the sooner we can start constructing your defense.