Ellicott City Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

Attorneys Addressing Sex Crime Charges in Ellicott City, MD

An accusation of a sex crime can completely change a person's life. While the penalties for a conviction can be serious in these cases, multiple types of problems may arise well before the charges are addressed in court. A person's employer may learn of the accusations, which would lead to the loss of a job. Friends and family members may no longer want to associate with a person who has been accused, leading to social isolation and emotional difficulties. Understanding the right ways to respond to accusations can be crucial for people who are facing sex crime charges.

The penalties a person may face if they are convicted of a sex crime may include a lengthy prison sentence, fines and restitution, and registration as a sex offender for years or even the rest of their life. At Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our attorneys understand the concerns that people face in these situations, and we can provide the legal representation needed to help our clients address sex crime charges correctly.

Compassionate, Thorough Representation in Sex Crime Cases

People who are facing accusations of sex crimes may be frightened, embarrassed, and unsure about who they can talk to about the details of their case or how they can respond to the charges they are facing. Our lawyers meet each client personally, listening to their stories, explaining the charges in terms that make sense, and making sure they understand exactly what will happen at each stage of a criminal case. We will make sure clients know what will happen when they appear in court and how they can present the best image to a judge, including what they should wear and how they should respond to any questions.

Sex crime cases often involve digital evidence, interviews with alleged victims and other witnesses, forensic evidence gathered during an investigation, and testimony from experts. Our attorneys will review search warrants, forensic reports, and the chain of custody of devices and other evidence seized by law enforcement. We can work with digital forensics professionals and medical or psychological experts to evaluate evidence and build effective defense strategies.

We will work to achieve an outcome that will protect our client's freedom and future. Throughout the legal process, we will always be available to answer any questions that clients may have, explain the next steps that will be followed, address any concerns, and provide compassionate guidance on how a case may be resolved.

Child Pornography and CSAM Charges

Materials that depict minors engaging in sexual conduct are commonly known as child pornography, but they are also referred to as child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). The creation of these materials can be harmful to children, and law enforcement officials will often take steps to impose harsh penalties against people who are accused of offenses involving CSAM. Our lawyers can provide representation for people who are facing charges involving:

• CSAM Possession: A person who has been accused of knowingly possessing, accessing, or retaining photos or videos of children engaging in sexual activities can face serious criminal charges. Each image, video, or file may be charged as a separate offense, which can lead to harsh penalties in cases involving a large number of materials.
• CSAM Distribution: When a person is accused of not only possessing child pornography, but making it available to others, they will usually face harsher penalties. These charges may involve claims that a person uploaded CSAM to a website, shared materials through a cloud storage account or file-sharing network, sold materials to others, or engaged in other forms of CSAM distribution or promotion.
• CSAM Production: The most serious child pornography offenses will typically involve allegations that a person participated in creating materials, such as by filming or photographing children in sexual situations. Charges may also apply in cases where people are accused of allowing minors to participate in the creation of CSAM or being involved in the production of these materials in any way.

Many child pornography cases will involve materials that were allegedly found on a person's phone, computer, or other devices, as well as activity involving online accounts or accessing certain websites. Our attorneys can look at how searches and investigations were conducted, including whether officers obtained the proper search warrants, whether a person knew about materials that they allegedly possessed, and whether any attempts were made to intentionally distribute materials to others.

Online Solicitation Charges

Criminal charges involving the online solicitation of a minor are another type of serious offense. A person could be charged with this offense if they interacted with a minor online, such as in a chat room, through social media, or by sending messages via email or texts. If these communications allegedly involved attempts to engage in illegal sexual activities with a minor, criminal charges may apply.

Charges of online solicitation may be based on interactions with someone that a person allegedly believed to be a minor. That is, an adult posing as a child, such as an undercover officer, may communicate with someone, and if any attempts are made to meet in person to engage in sexual activities, or if a person allegedly solicited other types of illegal sex acts, they could be charged with a criminal offense.

In these cases, criminal charges will focus on a person's intent, and prosecutors will need to show that they believed that they were communicating with a minor. Our lawyers can challenge these claims by showing that messages were misinterpreted, that our client believed the person they were messaging was an adult, or that a person was coerced into engaging in illegal behavior by an undercover officer.

Other Sex Crime Charges

• Rape/Sexual Assault: A person who is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse without consent may be charged with rape. The penalties for this offense can be serious, especially in cases involving accusations involving the use of violence or weapons. If an alleged offense did not involve sexual intercourse or penetration, a person may be charged with a sexual offense. While these charges may be less serious than rape, they can still result in penalties that may include years in prison, large fines, and sex offender registration.
• Prostitution and Solicitation: Accusations of engaging in prostitution by offering or agreeing to commit sex acts in exchange for payment can lead to serious criminal charges. Similar penalties may apply for people who are accused of soliciting prostitution by offering payment to a person in return for sexual conduct.
• Sex Trafficking: A person could be charged with an offense involving human trafficking charges if they allegedly recruited or transported someone else for the purpose of prostitution. Coercing someone into engaging in prostitution or keeping them in a house or other location where they engaged in prostitution may also lead to sex trafficking charges. These charges can be especially serious in cases involving allegations of child trafficking.

Our attorneys can evaluate the specific accusations a person is facing and review the facts of a case to determine what options for defense may be available. We may be able to challenge the evidence, argue that entrapment occurred, or demonstrate that a person has been falsely accused. We will work to resolve these cases while avoiding convictions and helping to prevent long-term penalties that may affect our clients' lives.

Contact Our Ellicott City, Maryland Sex Crimes Defense Lawyers

At Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, we can provide the legal help clients need to respond to accusations of sex crimes and defend against convictions. We will work closely with clients to build effective defense strategies, making sure they have a dedicated advocate on their side throughout an entire case. Contact our Ellicott City sex crimes attorneys at 301-762-7500 to schedule a free consultation.