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Child Pornography Offences

Child Pornography Legal Advice

All child pornography charges in Canada currently carry minimum jail sentences upon conviction. If you or someone you know is charged, you should immediately contact an experienced criminal lawyer.

Weisberg Law has successfully provided legal counsel and court representation for many cases involving allegations of child pornography. Our skilled and experienced legal team will work tirelessly and discreetly to provide the assertive and results-oriented representation you deserve. The firm’s high-quality standards will ensure that the best possible results are obtained in any child pornography-related legal matter.

Certified Specialist

Certified Specialist

The Law Society of Upper Canada deemed Adam Weisberg to be a certified specialist in criminal law.

High Profile Cases

High-Profile Cases

High-profile cases featured in over 8 Canadian media publications.

12 Practice Areas

12 Practice Areas

Specialized in defending 12 different practice areas in criminal defense.

Toronto Area

Toronto Area

Services Toronto, Brampton, and Newmarket locations.

Proven Track Record

Proven Track Record

Successfully defended repeated criminal offenders with each accused offense.

Child Pornography Definition

Child pornography is an image, video, or visual representation that depicts someone under the age of eighteen engaged in sexual activity or where the main characteristic is the depiction, for a sexual purpose, the anal region or a sexual organ. There is some case law that indicates that the breasts of a teenage girl under the age of eighteen can be considered child pornography.

There is a difference between child pornography and child nudity. Nude pictures or artwork of children that are not for a sexual purpose and are not focused on the anal region or sexual organs are not considered child pornography.

Possession of Child Pornography

Possession of child pornography means that the accused is alleged to have both knowledge and control over the pornographic material. This is probably the most common allegation with respect to child pornography in Toronto and the surrounding areas.

Accessing Child Pornography

It is an offence to knowingly cause child pornography to be viewed or transmitted. Therefore, it is also an offence to access child pornography even where there is not actual possession. For example, viewing child pornography without actually downloading the illegal images is still illegal.

Minimum Punishments for Possession and Access

The minimum punishment of imprisonment for these offences is fourteen days if prosecuted summarily. If the matters are prosecuted by indictment, then the minimum punishment of imprisonment is forty-five days. In actuality, most offenders, if convicted, are sentenced to longer sentences than the minimum sentences under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Making Child Pornography

The making refers to a person that makes, prints, publishes, or possesses child pornography for the purpose of publication. This offence is more serious than the offences of accessing and possession of pornographic material involving a minor. These allegations are serious, and an experienced child pornography lawyer should be hired to defend against such charges.

Distributing Child Pornography

This offence covers people that are alleged to have transmitted, made available, distributed, sold, advertised, imported, exported or possessed pornographic material involving a minor for the purpose of transmission.

Minimum Punishments for Making and Distribution

If these charges are advanced by summary conviction, the minimum term of imprisonment is six months. Where the Crown prosecutor proceeds by indictment, the minimum term of imprisonment is one year. The sentences of imprisonment after conviction are usually longer than the minimum sentences under the Criminal Code.

There are many defences available to persons charged with allegations of child pornography in Toronto and the surrounding areas. If someone you know has been accused of possession, making, accessing, or distributing pornographic material involving a minor, contact an experienced criminal lawyer immediately to ensure that person’s rights are protected.

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