The state of Illinois takes child pornography charges very seriously—and if you’ve been accused of this type of crime, you probably need to get in touch with a child pornography defense attorney as soon as possible.
Child Pornography Defense in Chicago, Skokie, and Rolling Meadows
Under Illinois law, you can be found guilty of a child pornography offense if you film, videotape, photograph or otherwise depict or portray a child you should reasonably know is under the age of 18 or any person with a severe or profound intellectual disability who is engaged in anything that could be construed as a sex act.
These criminal charges are increased to aggravated child pornography when the child who’s involved is under the age of 13.
Penalties for Child Pornography in Illinois
Most child pornography offenses in Illinois are considered Class 1 felonies. If you’re convicted, you’re looking at a prison term that ranges from 4 years to 15 years. In some cases, the possession of child pornography is a Class 3 felony; your attorney can explain the differences to you when you discuss your case.
The state can — and sometimes does — pursue longer sentences if the accused’s criminal history includes previous felonies.
The law also requires people who are convicted of child pornography crimes to pay a fine between $1,000 and $100,000.
Aggravated child pornography, for the most part, is a Class X felony. A Class X felony can result in imprisonment for between 6 and 30 years, and the fines range between $1,000 and $100,000 for each conviction.
You’ll also have to register as a sex offender if you’re convicted.
Because the penalties for this type of conviction are so harsh, most people facing these charges get legal advice from a Chicago child pornography defense lawyer.
Do You Need a Child Pornography Defense Lawyer in Chicago, Skokie, or Rolling Meadows?
These are very serious charges, and you don’t have to fight them alone.
Call us at 847-920-4540 for a free child pornography defense consultation. We’ll evaluate your case and give you case-specific legal advice. Don’t wait — your future could depend on it.
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