Child Sexual Exploitation in Georgia

Child Sexual Exploitation Defense Lawyer in Atlanta & Alpharetta, Georgia

Crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children are treated as very serious offenses in the state of Georgia.  A conviction for child exploitation carries severe criminal penalties that can change the course of your life forever.  You may have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life and are likely to face severe restrictions on where you can live and work.  Tom Ford is an experienced criminal defense attorney who is well positioned to defend clients charged with child sexual exploitation offenses in Georgia.  He represents individuals in Atlanta and throughout the state in all types of sex crime cases.

Sexual Exploitation of Children Under Georgia Law

Section 16-12-100 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) sets forth several actions that are considered to be criminal offenses involving the sexual exploitation of children.  These include:

• When an individual employs, uses, persuades, induces, entices or coerces a minor to participate in or assist someone to engage in sexually explicit activities in order to produce a film, photograph, magazine or other visual medium of such activities; or
• When a parent, guardian or other individual with custody or control of a minor allows the minor to participate in or assist someone to engage in sexually explicit activities in order to produce a film, photograph, magazine or other visual medium or such activities; or
• When an individual employs, uses, persuades, induces, entices or coerces a minor to engage in or assists someone to participate in or assist someone to engage in sexually explicit activities for the purpose of a play, dance, exhibit or other type of performance.
• When a parent, guardian, or other individual with custody or control of a minor allows the minor to participate in or to assist someone to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of a play, dance, exhibit or other type of performance.
• When an individual with the intent to sell creates, reproduces, publishes, promotes, sells, distributes, gives, exhibits, or possesses a film, photograph or other visual medium which depicts a minor participating in sexually explicit activities; or
• When an individual advertises, buys, sells or exchanges any medium which gives information about where any visual medium which depicts a minor participating in sexually explicit activities can be bought of found;
• When an individual brings any material, which depicts a minor participating in sexually explicit activities into the state or causes such materials to be brought into the state; or
• When an individual possesses or controls any material which depicts a minor participating in sexually explicit activities (O.C.G.A. § 16-12-100).

In addition to the child sexual exploitation offenses discussed above, the statute also sets forth strict reporting requirements for individuals who come across such sexually explicit conduct during the processing or producing of visual or printed materials.

Punishments Under Georgia’s Sexual Exploitation of Children Statute

In most situations, sexual exploitation of children offenses enumerated in the statute are classified as felonies, punishable by a prison term of 5-20 years and a fine of up to $100,000.  However, in certain limited situations where the defendant is under the age of 18, the offense will be classified as a misdemeanor crime.  Additionally, individuals who violate the reporting requirements set forth in § 16-12-100(c) will be guilty of a misdemeanor offense.

Contact Us to Schedule a Consultation

If you have been accused of a sexual exploitation of children offense, the Ford Law Firm can help.  We offer dedicated, experienced representation to people who have been charged with all types of criminal offenses.  Call us today to schedule a consultant with a skilled Georgia child exploitation defense lawyer - 404-835-3950.

Related Practice Areas:

• Child Molestation
• Child Pornography
• Distribution/Transmission
• Internet Solicitation
• Sex Crimes