Child pornography charges are prosecuted in both federal and state courts. The charges filed in state court can also be prosecuted in juvenile court, district court or superior court. Attorney Richard Sweeney has handled some of the most high-profile child pornography cases in Massachusetts history. Our criminal defense attorneys serving Quincy and Boston have represented clients facing child pornography charges in juvenile, district, and superior courts throughout the Commonwealth.
Our defense strategy always takes into account whether the charges are brought in federal court, superior court, district court, or juvenile court. The sentence you face is very much dependent on which court your case is in. Our goal is always to resolve your case in a way that protects your reputation, family and future as much as possible. Sometimes this means going to trial, and other times, it means negotiating the best possible plea agreement to avoid mandatory minimum sentences and sex offender registration.
If you are under investigation, do not wait until you get arrested to consult an attorney. The sooner we get involved in your case, the better the outcome will be. If you have already been charged with a sex crime, call us today.
At Sweeney & Associates, LLC, we are available 24/7, and we can offer you immediate representation. Contact us for a free, confidential case consultation.
A person convicted of possession, dissemination or production of child pornography will be required to register as a sex offender in accordance with Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) regulations, and can also face fines in the thousands of dollars.
An individual's sentence in federal court is governed by the federal sentencing guidelines, which contain enhancements that increase the length of the sentence. While judges have discretion and can deviate from the sentencing range by either increasing or decreasing a person's sentence, the judges will usually impose a sentence that is within the sentencing range suggested by the guidelines.
In the case of child pornography, sentencing enhancements include:
While quite a few federal judges have spoken out about the inequities of these enhancements, it is still uncommon for a federal judge to impose a sentence below the sentencing range suggested by the guidelines.
While it may be uncommon for a judge to depart from the guidelines, it happens more frequently in child pornography cases than other types of cases. You need an attorney who is knowledgeable about sentencing enhancements and the arguments that need to be made to persuade the judge to impose a sentence that is below what the guidelines suggest.
Please contact us online or call us at (617) 300-0212 for a confidential consultation so our criminal defense attorneys can begin building your defense immediately. We are responsive 24/7, offer fixed and hourly billing rates, and accept all major credit cards. We serve Boston, Quincy, Canton, and throughout the State of Massachussetts.
Our Canton child pornography attorneys can give you the legal counsel you need. Contact us today!