There may have once been a general sense that the Internet was a free and relatively secure network for communicating and sharing information with others. However, Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the unintended consequences of the Internet.
Personal information can be stolen or unintentionally shared through networks that were once thought to be safe, and there have been ongoing reports of hackers accessing consumer data such as credit card numbers and bank accounts. Use of peer-to-peer file-sharing services has also led to the transmission of digital files to people who did not intend to receive them. In some cases, people have unknowingly received images of child pornography and faced criminal charges as a result.
When a person is accused of possessing or receiving child pornography, a number of defense options are available to challenge the prosecution’s claims. For example, an examination of the computer’s hard drive and the history of Internet searches could be used to show that the files were accidentally downloaded.
In other cases, there are questions of the validity of a search warrant. Federal agents and police departments are able to access people’s computers without the owner’s permission. A criminal defense attorney with experience in state and federal courts may be able to challenge the legality of the search warrant and have evidence suppressed from the court record.
People who have been charged with crimes related to child pornography need to understand that the stakes are extremely high. A conviction could lead to jail time and a requirement to register as a sex offender, as well as family strife and difficulties finding employment.
Attorneys at Sindel, Richard H. Sindel, Inc., P.C., represent individuals accused of child pornography offenses. You can learn more about our law practice by visiting our criminal defense overview.
