Child pornography is considered to be a form of child sexual exploitation, and has devastating emotional consequences for the victim. Therefore, child pornography charges in Illinois are quite serious due to the grievous nature of the offense. Penalties associated with conviction include lengthy prison sentences, high fines, and other consequences that can utterly change your life.

Because of this, it is vital that everyone is familiar with Illinois child pornography laws so that they can avoid inadvertently committing this serious and devastating offense. You might think it impossible to unknowingly run afoul of child pornography laws, but it can and does happen.

Definition of Child Pornography in Illinois and Common Offenses

In Illinois, child pornography is defined as pictures, videos, or other visual media in which any child under the age of 18 is engaged in a sexual act, simulating a sexual act, involved in lewd touching or fondling, or is in a sexually suggestive or lewd pose that exposes sexual organs or the buttocks.

Common, specific child pornography charges include:

Production of Child Pornography

The production of child pornography includes filming, photographing, or engaging in sexual acts with minors on camera. Producing child pornography is harmful to the victim first in the actual production process, which is generally traumatic, and secondly by the perpetual distribution of his or her image, often on the Internet.

Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

Federal law prohibits the knowing possession of pornographic or sexually explicit videos or images of an individual who the offender knows is under 18 or should reasonably know is under 18.

Distribution of this material through electronic or physical means is also illegal. This may be harder to defend against in court, as evidence of distribution make clear the intent of the offender.

Sexting with Minors

As mentioned above, some child pornography offenses are committed inadvertently. As an adult, engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor is illegal, as minors are considered incapable of consent.

If, as a part of this relationship, you engage in sexting and/or sending sexually explicit images or videos, this material can be considered child pornography. This is the case even if your partner makes and sends the images or videos voluntarily or not at your request.

Moreover, even if you are a minor, you may still be charged with child pornography. For example, a 16-year-old Chicago teen committed suicide after learning he could face child pornography charges for recording a video of consensual sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend.

Coercion of Participation in Child Pornography

Encouraging or coercing a minor into participating in child pornography or failing to prevent one’s own children from participating in child pornography is also illegal under federal law, and is considered a sex offense.

Aggravated Child Pornography

If the child involved is under the age of 13, Illinois state laws increase the criminal charge of child pornography to aggravated child pornography.

Consequences of Conviction

Child pornography is severely charged and sentenced in all states. Illinois is no different. Here, most child pornography offenses are charged as Class 1 felonies, which are punishable by 4-14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of $1,000-$100,000. In some cases, possession of child pornography may be prosecuted as a Class 3 felony, which results in a lesser sentence.

Most cases of aggravated child pornography are prosecuted as Class X felonies, which are punishable by 6-30 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000-$100,000 fine. The state may also pursue increased sentencing for repeat offenders.

In addition to a considerable prison sentence, a child pornography conviction requires offenders to register as sex offenders in Illinois. Sex offenders are required to register each year for a period of at least 10 years, starting with the date of release from prison. Registration as a sex offender is humiliating, carries an enormous negative stigma, and compromises housing, employment, and many other prospects.

How to Defend Against Child Pornography Charges

If you are accused of child pornography, it is imperative to retain the best available legal counsel as early as possible in the process. These charges are serious and life-changing in nature, and involving legal representation early on can help make sure that your rights are protected.

A number of defenses may be viable depending upon the specifics of your case.

 Defendant Is Not in Possession

For possession charges, it may be possible to argue that the material did not belong to the defendant. This may be raised when the content is found on shared electronic devices, or if a disgruntled third party had reason to plant the content on the defendant’s electronic device(s).

 Unintended Possession

For possession charges, it may be possible to argue that the possession was unintentional, for example, if the defendant unknowingly received the content through email or downloaded it accidentally.

Illegal Search

If incriminating evidence was illegally obtained by law enforcement, it may not be admissible in court. If the warrant was illegally obtained, or if the material was not obtained under a warrant, the evidence is not admissible. In other cases, law enforcement may violate the scope of the warrant, searching locked computers or computers not specifically named in the search warrant.

 Entrapment

Law enforcement will sometimes run sting operations to catch child pornographers. If the sting operation encouraged the defendant to commit a crime that he or she otherwise would not have committed, this is considered entrapment. This defense may arise if defendant purchased or downloaded content that was not clearly child pornography.

About the Author

Sami Azhari has been working as a lawyer since 2007, after receiving his Juris Doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law. He has handled numerous state and federal cases, and is known throughout the Chicago and Rolling Meadows area for providing his clients with high-quality, skilled representation. He has been recognized by SuperLawyers, the National Trial Lawyers Association, and other notable organizations, and has spoken at a number of legal conferences.