Las Vegas Internet Sex Crime Lawyer
Whether you live in the Las Vegas area or are traveling to the city on a vacation, you should know that the state of Nevada takes sex crimes cases extremely seriously. Many people who have been convicted of sex crimes came on vacation but end up doing jail time, paying fines, and even having to deal with probation in the state of Nevada. Internet sex crimes typically revolve around online pornography involving children. If a person is accused of possessing, downloading, or transmitting any materials over the internet involving sex crimes and crimes against children, that person can face serious charges under both Nevada state and federal law.
Defining Internet Sex Crimes Under Nevada Law
Most internet sex crimes charges concern pornography involving minors (Nevada Rev. Stat. §§ 200.700 to 200.760). Under Nevada law, all of the following are unlawful:
- Using a minor in producing pornography, or using a minor as the subject of a sexual portrayal in a performance;
- Promoting the sexual performance of a minor;
- Preparing, advertising, or distributing materials depicting child pornography;
- Using the internet to control the visual presentation of child pornography;
- Possession of child pornography; and
- Using an electronic communication device to possess, transmit, or distribute child pornography.
All of the above offenses may be charged with a person is facing internet sex crimes charges. As you can see, there are two specific offenses defined as internet-specific crimes, including the use of the internet in child pornography (Nevada Rev. Stat. § 200.727) and the use of an electronic communication device to possession, transmit, or distribute child pornography (Nevada Rev. Stat. § 200.737).
In some cases, defendants may be facing additional charges connected to internet sex crimes, including but not limited to:
- Sexual assault;
- Statutory sexual seduction;
- Statutory rape;
- Kidnapping; and
- Lewdness with a child under 16 years.
Penalties for Internet Sex Crimes in Las Vegas, Nevada
If you are convicted of internet sex crimes, including any offense related to pornography involving minors, you could be facing a mandatory minimum sentence. While each different charge carries its own penalties, you could be facing anywhere from a Category C felony to a Category A felony. The penalties are as following:
- Category C felony: 1 to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 (example including intentionally viewing child pornography on the internet);
- Category B felony: 1 to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000 (example includes distribution of child pornography); and
- Category A felony: life sentence with a 10-year minimum for parole and a mandatory fine of up to $100,000 (example includes promoting child pornography involving a minor under the age of 14).
Not all felony penalties in a particular class carry the same repercussions. For example, a subsequent possession of child pornography conviction is charged as a Category A felony, but its sentence results in a prison sentence of one year to life with the possibility of parole.
In addition to these penalties, anyone convicted of internet sex crimes will be required to register with the Nevada Sex Offender Registry.
Contact a Las Vegas Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer
If you are facing internet sex crimes charges, you need to have an experienced Las Vegas sex crimes defense attorney on your side. At Lobo Law, we provide aggressive yet compassionate representation for each of our clients. Contact us today to get started on your case.
