When people who are in the military are accused of criminal offenses related to child pornography, the consequences can be dire. Not only could they be subject to imprisonment and mandatory registration as a sex offender,1 a conviction would end their military career and significantly affect their opportunities in civilian life. It is critical for servicemen and women who have been accused of the possession or dissemination of child pornography to take steps to ensure that their legal rights are protected. Some of these steps are detailed below. For specific advice about your situation, call Gagne, Scherer & Associates, LLC today to speak with a military criminal defense attorney today. We are highly experienced in this area of court-martial, state, and federal law. Call us now at 877-867-5247.
Do not attempt to destroy potential evidence
If the authorities show up at your door and have a valid warrant to confiscate your computer, tablet, cell phone, DVDs, or other media, do not try and delete files or destroy your devices. This could be used as an indication of guilt and could also be the basis for further criminal liability.
Do not speak to anyone about your case
While it is difficult to do, it is very important for people who are accused of offenses related to child pornography to not speak to anyone about their case, except their lawyer. This includes family, friends, prosecutors, and law enforcement authorities. It is only natural to want to assert your innocence and provide explanations for any suspicious circumstances, but talking about your case will only provide additional evidence that may be used against you.
Retain an attorney
It is extremely important to retain an attorney as soon as possible. A military lawyer will ensure that any investigation conducted is in compliance with the law and that you do not say or do anything that may weaken your position. Call a civilian military criminal defense lawyer today to retain legal representation
Members of the United States military who are convicted of offenses related to child pornography can result in serious legal sanctions and the loss of a person’s career. Furthermore, a conviction can often result in a requirement to register with the state as a sex offender, meaning that anyone with an Internet connection and your name will be able to discover details about your offense. For this reason, anyone accused of a child pornography violation should retain an attorney familiar with the UCMJ2 and military criminal procedure as soon as possible. To schedule a consultation with one of our civilian military criminal defense attorneys, call Gagne, Scherer & Associates, LLC today at 877-867-5247 or send us an email through our online contact form.
References:
1 https://www.nsopw.gov/
2 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/subtitle-A/part-II/chapter-47