How Does Connecticut Law Address Child Pornography?

 Posted on August 27, 2021 in Sex Crimes

While all types of criminal charges can result in serious penalties, sex crimes are often treated differently than other offenses. A person who is accused of committing these types of offenses may have their reputation and personal character attacked, and they may face consequences to their personal life, their relationships, and their career, even if they are never convicted of criminal charges. Offenses related to child pornography are taken especially seriously by law enforcement. Those who are accused of these types of crimes will need to understand how the law addresses these situations and the potential penalties they may face if convicted.

Child Pornography Offenses in Connecticut

Connecticut law defines child pornography as a visual depiction of a child under the age of 16 engaging in sexually explicit conduct. In cases involving child pornography, a person may face multiple different types of charges, including:

• First-degree possession of child pornography - This offense involves the knowing possession of at least 50 different pieces of child pornography, at least one piece of child pornography depicting a serious injury or the threat of a serious injury, or a video with at least two frames depicting sexually explicit conduct involving two or more children or more than one act of sexually explicit conduct involving one child. This is a Class B felony, and if a person is convicted, they may face a prison sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and five years of the sentence cannot be reduced or suspended.
• Second-degree possession of child pornography - This offense involves the knowing possession of between 20 and 50 different pieces of child pornography or a video with at least 20 frames depicting one act of sexually explicit conduct by one child. This is a Class C felony, and if a person is convicted, they may face a prison sentence of up to 10 years in prison, and two years of the sentence cannot be reduced or suspended.
• Third-degree possession of child pornography - This offense involves the knowing possession of less than 20 different pieces of child pornography or a video with fewer than 20 frames depicting one act of sexually explicit conduct by one child. This is a Class D felony, and if a person is convicted, they may face a prison sentence of up to five years in prison, and one year of the sentence cannot be reduced or suspended.
• Importing child pornography - A person may be charged with this offense if they knowingly bring at least three pieces of child pornography into the state of Connecticut with the intent of promoting child pornography. This is a Class B felony, and five years of a person’s sentence cannot be reduced or suspended.
• Sexting - A person under the age of 18 may be charged with a child pornography offense if they knowingly possess or send electronic images of a child under the age of 16 engaging in sexually explicit conduct. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and a conviction can result in a prison sentence of up to one year.

Contact Our Stamford Child Pornography Charges Lawyer

If you or a member of your family have been accused of any offenses related to child pornography, you can work with an attorney from Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner to determine how to respond to and defend against these charges. To set up a free consultation and get legal help with your case, contact our Fairfield County sex crimes defense attorney at 203-348-5846.

Source:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm