Child Pornography Attorney in Los Angeles

Facing Child Pornography Charges in Los Angeles? We Defend Your Future.

When you face child pornography accusations in Los Angeles, you deserve strong guidance from the very start. At Stein & Markus, we know your freedom, career, and reputation are at stake. Allegations can lead to serious consequences, but we bring decades of strategic defense experience on your behalf. 

Our team stands ready to provide clear advice, tactical support, and unwavering representation. You receive the focused attention you need in every situation. With us, you have legal professionals who understand the challenges of defending child pornography charges in California courts.

Law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles act quickly when prosecuting child pornography cases. Local task forces such as the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC), the LAPD, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department often coordinate their resources. Timing matters in these investigations, so working with a proven porn lawyer in Los Angeles allows you to protect your rights before critical decisions impact your future.

Your freedom and future are at stake. Contact a focused child pornography attorney in Los Angeles at Stein & Markus immediately. We are former prosecutors. Call (562) 512-7030 or reach out online for a free consultation now. ¡Hablamos español!

Understanding Child Pornography Laws in California

California maintains some of the toughest statutes in the nation regarding visual depictions of minors involved in sexual conduct, primarily codified under Penal Code (PC) § 311.11 (Possession) and PC § 311.2 (Distribution/Exchange). It is crucial to understand that the law is designed to criminalize virtually every act related to the material.

Key California Statutes

• PC § 311.11 (Possession): This makes it a crime to knowingly possess or control any matter, representation, data, or image depicting a person under 18 engaging in or simulating sexual conduct. Possession is a wobbler offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances (e.g., number of images, age of the child depicted) and the prosecutor's discretion.
• PC § 311.2 (Distribution/Exchange): This statute makes it a felony to distribute, send, transport, or possess with the intent to distribute any such material. This includes sharing via email, peer-to-peer networks, or other electronic means. These cases often overlap with federal statutes (18 U.S.C. § 2252), which carry even harsher mandatory minimum sentences. A competent child pornography attorney in Los Angeles must be prepared to defend in both state and federal courts.

Digital Evidence and Seizure

The vast majority of child pornography cases begin with the seizure of computers, phones, or digital storage devices. The entire defense strategy often hinges on challenging the legality of the initial search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment, which is a prime focus area for our firm.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of a Child Pornography Conviction

A conviction for child pornography in Los Angeles, particularly for a felony, results in an immediate and permanent dismantling of the convicted person's life.

Direct Criminal Penalties

Lifetime Collateral Consequences

The consequences that define a Los Angeles child pornography lawyer case are the lifelong penalties:

• Mandatory Sex Offender Registration (PC § 290): Most convictions under PC § 311.11 require mandatory registration as a sex offender under California's Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA). This severely restricts where you can live and work and remains a permanent public record.
• Digital Device Forfeiture: The computers, phones, and storage devices used in the commission of the crime are subject to permanent seizure and forfeiture.
• Employment and Professional Licensing: A conviction almost always results in the revocation of teaching, medical, legal, or financial licenses.
• Immigration Consequences: Non-citizens face mandatory deportation and permanent inadmissibility to the United States.

The California Defense Process for Digital Sex Crime Charges

Defending against child pornography charges is a highly technical, aggressive process that begins the moment a search warrant is served. We utilize our former prosecutor insight to manage the case trajectory from the initial investigation through trial.

• Immediate Crisis Intervention: Because the charge demands immediate action, we offer 24/7 availability to advise clients during police searches and interrogations, ensuring no statement is made without counsel.
• Challenging the Search Warrant: Our firm immediately scrutinizes the search warrant affidavit used to seize your electronics. We file a Motion to Suppress (Penal Code § 1538.5) if the warrant lacked probable cause, was overly broad, or if the police exceeded its scope. If successful, this can lead to the exclusion of the digital evidence and, often, dismissal of the entire case.
• Digital Forensic Counter-Analysis: We do not rely on the government's forensic analysis. We engage independent computer forensic experts to challenge the State’s conclusions regarding:
  • File metadata (proving files were never opened or viewed).
  • Origin and transfer history (proving unintentional downloading or third-party transfer).
  • Remote access and malware (proving external control of the device).
• Negotiation and Mitigation: Leveraging the legal and technical weaknesses we identify, we negotiate with the District Attorney's office, aggressively seeking a reduction from felony to misdemeanor (Wobbler), or a plea that avoids or limits the devastating SORA registration requirement.