Similar to the rest of the nation, New Jersey child pornography laws are strict. Convictions are associated with harsh penalties, including years in prison, hefty fines, and registration as a sex offender. Citizens of New Jersey can protect themselves by staying up to date with pornography laws in the state and working to ensure that they don’t accidentally commit a crime while using the internet.
Defendants facing child pornography crimes in New Jersey are likely feeling overwhelmed, with the strong possibility that they weren’t even aware that they were committing a crime. By staying informed, defendants in child pornography cases in the state can protect their rights and understand the particular charges they are facing, along with the potential consequences in the case of a criminal conviction.
Child Pornography Laws in New Jersey
In New Jersey, it is against the law to possess, look at, share, distribute, or manufacture child pornography. Child pornography is considered to be a form of child sexual exploitation, so it is highly criminalized in New Jersey and the United States. Because of this fact, child pornography is not protected by the First Amendment right to free speech. For legal purposes, a child is considered a person under the age of 18.
Under N.J. Stat. Ann. §2c:24-4 et seq., it is illegal to allow or cause a child to carry out prohibited sexual acts that are filmed or photographed in any way or will be part of a performance or exhibition. Furthermore, creating, photographing, or filming a child while they are carrying out an illegal sexual act is strictly illegal, with the possession or distribution of such material being illegal as well. There is a specific New Jersey state statute that bans any kind of file sharing through the use of peer-to-peer networks for distribution.
Consequences of a Child Pornography Crime Conviction
Child pornography crimes in New Jersey are felony crimes, so they typically result in prison time, hefty fines, and/or the possibility of community service or probation. The severity of the resulting penalties is dependent on factors such as the experience of the defendant’s criminal defense lawyer, the extent and seriousness of the crime committed, and the legal history of the defendant.
The majority of convictions for child pornography crimes in New Jersey will lead to required registration as a sex offender, which may be required for life. Being registered as a sex offender can severely restrict a person’s movement, certain job opportunities, and even where they can live.
Get Legal Representation Against Your NJ Child Pornography Charges Today
If you are facing child pornography charges in New Jersey, you need an experienced and compassionate lawyer who can represent your case and ensure that your rights are protected. When you contact a criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, we can take immediate action to start negotiations and develop your criminal defense strategy. Don’t bear the burden of facing child pornography charges alone; contact a criminal defense lawyer from our team today.
