Most states are cracking down on child pornography and Oklahoma is no exception. A conviction involving child pornography in Wagoner, whether for possession, viewing, or distribution can ruin relationships and land you in jail.
FAQ: Child Pornography in Wagoner
It is against the law to buy, procure, possess, distribute, display, sell, or offer to sell child pornography. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1040.8
Oklahoma defines child pornography as sexually explicit materials of children under the age of 18. These materials can include pictures or videos or any other materials containing sexually explicit depictions of children.
More specifically, child pornography includes depictions of any child engaged in any sexual act with a person or animal, or any act of urination of defecation in a sexual context, or any act of masturbation, or the lewd exhibition of the uncovered genitals, buttocks, or breasts of minor, for the purpose of sexual stimulation of the viewer. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1024.1
Child pornography has become readily available with just a click of a computer. Unfortunately, it is easily obtained and easily distributed. As a result, despite our best efforts, child pornography continues to proliferate.
Not all child pornography is created equal, however. The law makes it illegal for a teenage boyfriend to have explicit pictures of his underage girlfriend that she “sexted” to him.
But it also makes it illegal for a 40-year-old male to have explicit sexual pictures of a 12-year-old child.
These two are very different and as a result, it is important that you obtain experienced legal help if you are being charged with possessing child pornography in Wagoner.
Penalties Are Harsh in Oklahoma
Possession of child pornography in Wagoner is a felony offense.
If convicted, you could serve up to 20 years in prison and pay a fine of up to $25,000. In addition, if convicted under this statute, you are not eligible for a deferred sentence. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1024.2
Finally, the severity of the charge depends in some part on how much pornography you are caught with. If you are caught with 100 or more pieces of child pornography, you can be convicted of aggravated possession of child pornography, even if it is 100 copies of the same picture. If convicted under this statute, you could serve life in prison and pay a fine of up to $10,000. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1040.12a
In all cases, you must register with the sex offender registry. This can hamper your ability to live and work where you choose after prison.
Initial Strategy Session: Wagoner Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are accused of possessing child pornography in Oklahoma, talk to an experienced Wagoner criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Do not wait and do not speak to the police. Remember that everything that you say to them can and will be used against you.
For a low-cost consultation, call Wirth Law Office – Wagoner at 918-485-0335.
As always, you have the option to enter a legal question in the form at the top right of this page.
