Belleville Federal Child Pornography Lawyer

Federal Child Pornography Attorney in Belleville, IL

Being charged with federal child pornography is a serious offense. This can have a negative impact on not only your criminal record but also your reputation, career, and even family life. If you or a loved one has been accused of such crimes, contact a Belleville federal child pornography lawyer right away. At The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC, we can help you protect your future.

The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC provides legal defense services for defendants who face federal child pornography charges and other severe federal offenses in Belleville, Edwardsville, and neighboring regions.

Attorney Jessica Koester has over two decades of trial experience in both state and federal courts. She understands how to develop sound legal strategy in complex cases, as well as the skills needed to represent clients in high-pressure situations. Our firm handles all stages of federal defense, from pretrial motions to negotiations and trial.

Federal Child Pornography Laws

Federal laws are in place regarding child pornography. 18 U.S.C. § 2252 generally prohibits knowingly transporting, receiving, distributing, or reproducing a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

18 U.S.C. § 2252A expands the scope to include not just visual images but electronic and computer-generated media, making it a crime to possess or distribute child pornography using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce, including by computer or the Internet.

The maximum penalties are severe. A defendant convicted for the first time can receive at least 5 years imprisonment up to life, while repeat offenders face sentences that extend to 40 years. Offenders must also pay assessments and victim restitution and will likely face several years of supervised release after serving their sentence.

Federal statistics show that in FY2024, 1,375 people were sentenced for child pornography offenses in federal court, out of a total of 61,678 defendants. Possession made up 45.8% of all child porn convictions, trafficking 43.1%, and receipt of child pornography 11.1%.

Penalties in Federal Child Pornography Cases

Federal child pornography convictions in Belleville carry consequences that go far beyond the initial sentence. Some of these penalties include:

• Incarceration, typically in a federal prison for several years or more
• Substantial assessments and restitution fines
• Sex offender registration for life, with related restrictions on housing, employment, travel, etc.
• Years of supervised release, with conditions of confinement, Internet, and electronic device bans, etc.
• Collateral civil consequences, such as trouble securing housing or employment, and social stigma

The greatest way to protect yourself against these outcomes is to secure representation from an experienced Belleville federal child pornography attorney who can assess the evidence and defend you.

Hire a Child Pornography Lawyer

When you hire a federal child pornography lawyer, you gain an advocate who understands the federal system, technology-based evidence, and how to limit sentencing exposure. When the potential penalties are very high, as is the case in federal sex crimes, you need a lawyer who understands every aspect of criminal procedure and professional evidence. The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC can help.

Belleville Federal Child Pornography Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been accused of federal child pornography, contact The Law Office of Jessica Koester, LLC right away. We can help defend your rights and fight for you in court. Contact us today for a consultation.