When people use the Internet, they may feel as though their actions are anonymous. This feeling of anonymity is an illusion. Our online activities are easily tracked and, in fact, a permanent record of every image we view online remains on our computers. When someone comes across an illegal image such as child pornography, it can result in serious criminal charges. With the advent of chat rooms, texting and other modern methods of communication, new sex crimes have emerged, including enticing, luring and sexting. If you have been charged with a possession or distribution of child pornography or another Internet sex crime, it is crucial to hire a lawyer with significant experience defending people against sex charges. Your freedom and your future could depend on it.
The Law Office of Katheryn H. Haywood offers an aggressive defense to all Internet sex crimes. We understand that many of these allegations stem from unintentional actions, misunderstandings or prosecutorial overzealousness. I know what is at stake and will fight these allegations at every turn.
Defense for Online Solicitation Charges and Other Internet Crimes
If you have been charged with possession or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation of a minor or any other sex crime, you face extremely serious consequences upon conviction. Further, a conviction to an Internet sex crime will also lead to placement on the Sex Offender Registry. Most people do not realize how severe the penalties can be as they are browsing the Internet or chatting with people they believe to be adults.
Law enforcement officials are now setting up chat room “stings” in an effort to trap people who may be predators. Unfortunately, many individuals who believe their communications were private and had no intentions of breaking the law end up facing criminal charges. You may believe you are chatting with a civilian only to discovery each and every photo, image and conversation you had on line is with an FBI Agent or local law enforcement officer. Every suggestion, lewd comment and any and all planned meetings will be used against you in front of a jury of your peers.
When you schedule a meeting with the chat room participant you will be met with a team of cops, handcuffs and criminal charges.
When building your defense, The Law Office of Katheryn H. Haywood will look closely at the forensic evidence involved in these allegations. I will explore every other defense as well. Due to the highly charged nature of these allegations, many prosecutors overreach and make charges that are not supported by the evidence. I will hold the prosecution to its burden of proof.
INTERNET SOLICITATION OF A MINOR
Solicitation of a Minor
On social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, virtually anyone can create a false identity. While there are fields to fill out age, there is no guarantee that an individual’s age is the age listed. Anyone with access to the Internet has access to social networking sites and chat rooms. A person’s online personality is not always their real life personality, and there is no way to know. You could be chatting with a person you think is 18 or older when in fact that individual is underage.
Sexting & Juvenile Sex Offenses
“Sexting” and Teenage Nude-Photo File Sharing is a new crime which you may not understand. It is very common for teens to take and send pictures. The problem is when the image or photo is of a minor.
Even if you child or teenager is involved in a preliminary investigation, it can potentially cloud your child’s future. That’s why it’s critical to seek the help of a skilled attorney if your child is involved in a child pornography or “sexting” investigation in any way.
Charging teens under child pornography statutes twists the original intent of these laws and seeks to punish adolescents for natural curiosity. Just the sending of one nude photo could land your child in juvenile jail and the possibility of a lifetime criminal record or sex offender label.
