We often hear about it on the news, but many people do not know what “sexual exploitation of a minor” actually means. Sexual exploitation of a minor in the Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, or Glendale areas of Arizona refers to criminal charges regarding the distribution, possession, or creation of child pornography. It can also refer to luring a minor for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
At the end of the day, it is an extremely serious charge that can result in serious and long-lasting penalties. If you are charged with or being investigated for sexual exploitation of a minor in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, or Glenndale, you need to immediately contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Arizona has some of the most severe penalties in the nation when it comes to sexual exploitation of a minor, and people charged with or investigated for sexual exploitation of a minor face lifelong social stigma that can severely impact their economic prospects.
What Is Sexual Exploitation of a Minor?
Arizona’s sexual exploitation of a minor laws are very broad. In short, if you distribute, film, or simply even possess any type of child pornography, you could be facing charges. More specifically, Arizona’s sexual exploitation of a minor laws prohibit knowingly:
- Recording, filming, photographing, developing or duplicating any visual depiction showing a minor engaged in any kind of exploitative exhibition or sexual conduct.
- Distributing, transporting, exhibiting, receiving, selling, purchasing, electronically transmitting, possessing or exchanging any visual depiction in which a minor is engaged in exploitative exhibition or sexual conduct.
Under Arizona law, luring a minor for sexual exploitation is also a crime. You can be charged with luring a minor for sexual exploitation if you know or believe someone is under the age of 18 and you offer or solicit sexual conduct with that person.
What Are the Penalties for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor?
In Arizona, if you are convicted for sexual exploitation of a minor, you face a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison for each violation of the law. What this means is that, for every pornographic image you possess, you face ten years in jail. This alone makes Arizona’s sexual exploitation of a minor laws among the most severe in the country. On top of the harsh jail penalties, you can face significant fines and may also lose your parental rights.
You will also likely need to register on the Arizona sex offender registry for life, meaning your conviction will impact you for the rest of your life. It often means you will lose your job and have difficulty finding jobs in the future, and it almost certainly means you will live the rest of your life facing significant social stigma.
Charged With Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in Arizona?
The consequences of a conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor in Arizona are enormous. If you have been charged with or are being investigated for sexual exploitation of a minor in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, or Glendale areas of Arizona, you need to contact the Arizona Lawyers immediately. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys know how much is at stake and will vigorously defend you to the fullest extent of the law.