Milwaukee Child Pornography Attorneys

When you are facing allegations or charges for child pornography in Wisconsin, you need an attorney who understands the nuances of the state’s complicated criminal justice system. Child pornography convictions in Wisconsin carry mandatory minimum prison sentences with a few exceptions. These offenses can also be prosecuted under federal law, often leading to even more severe penalties.

Our legal team at Lee Law Firm, LLC, is led by attorney May Lee, who is a former prosecuting attorney. This experience gives our clients a distinct advantage when it comes to defending their rights to due process.

Sexual Exploitation Of A Child And Possession Of Child Pornography

In Wisconsin, offenses involving sexually explicit recordings of minors are primarily governed by two statutes:

• Sexual Exploitation of a Child (Wis. Stat. § 948.05) – This statute covers serious offenses, including producing, promoting, reproducing, advertising, distributing or possessing with intent to distribute any recording of a child under 18 engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Generally considered a Class C felony, a conviction may result in a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 40 years of imprisonment with a five-year initial confinement mandatory minimum.
• Possession of Child Pornography (Wis. Stat. § 948.12) – This statute addresses the possession of, or accessing with intent to view, any recording of a child under 18 engaged in sexually explicit conduct. As a Class D felony, a conviction may result in up to a $100,000 fine, up to 25 years of imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of three years of initial confinement.

Most first-time adult convictions for child pornography require registration for 15 years after completion of the sentence; lifetime registration is generally required only for repeat offenders or specific aggravated circumstances. It is important to keep in mind that Wisconsin’s statutes are subject to updates. When facing these types of allegations or charges, there is no substitute for attorney representation.

Long-Term Consequences Of A Conviction

A conviction for child pornography in Wisconsin results in life-altering penalties, such as:

• Permanent felony record: A felony conviction is a permanent mark that impacts all aspects of your life.
• Sex offender registration: This is a mandatory requirement, meaning your name, address and other details are publicly accessible.
• Employment difficulties: Many professions are closed off due to background checks; your professional licenses can be revoked.
• Housing restrictions: Sex offender registration can limit where one can live, often prohibiting residence near schools or parks.
• Social stigma: The extreme negative perception associated with these crimes can destroy your personal relationships and damage your reputation.
• Travel restrictions: Many countries deny entry to registered sex offenders, so your international travel can become extremely difficult or impossible.
• Loss of parental rights: Convictions can lead to the loss or severe restriction of custody and visitation rights.

Securing the help of an experienced attorney can make a profound difference in the outcome of your case and your future.

Building Your Defense: How Our Attorneys Can Help

While “erasing” a felony child pornography conviction is generally impossible due to its severe nature and mandatory registration, a knowledgeable attorney can help you minimize the charges and consequences. At Lee Law Firm, LLC, our legal team is highly experienced in protecting our clients’ rights, challenging the prosecution’s case, and working to minimize the devastating immediate and long-term impacts as much as legally possible.

Challenging The Evidence

Our attorneys can argue that evidence was obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment due to illegal search and seizure, potentially leading to its suppression. We will involve an expert forensic analysis to challenge the authenticity of digital evidence, question the chain of custody or work to prove that a device was accessed by someone else. For possession charges, we might also argue a lack of knowledge or intent, asserting that you were unaware of the content on a shared device or unknowingly downloaded it.

Negotiating With Prosecutors

We may negotiate away from charges that carry mandatory minimums, which could reduce sentencing and registration requirements. Additionally, if a conviction is unavoidable, we will negotiate a more favorable sentencing recommendation, such as concurrent rather than consecutive sentences, when possible.

Strategic Defense Against Severe Child Pornography Charges

If you or a loved one is facing child pornography charges in Wisconsin, contact Lee Law Firm, LLC, today at 414-567-5631 for a confidential consultation. Our experienced attorneys will treat you with respect and your case with the discretion it deserves. Your future is too important to delay. Reach out to us now for a free consultation to discuss how we can help protect your rights.