No matter how one feels about it on a moral or religious level, pornography is a common habit. People with different views on the topic tend to agree that most men and many women are viewing pornography with some regularity.
For the most part, this is entirely legal and even Constitutionally protected behavior. However, society draws a firm line that pornography must strictly be an adult activity.
Those caught possessing pornography which depicts someone under 18 can face substantial prison time. Even a first offense can land a person in prison for up to 10 years.
If the person is charged with distributing or intending to distribute images of child pornography, he or she may face up to 20 years in prison. People who are repeat offenders face harsher penalties up to and including spending the rest of their lives behind bars.
It is also important to keep in mind that each image may be treated as a separate offense. Also, these punishments apply in the state courts of Texas. A person charged in federal court for crimes related to child pornography may face harsher penalties depending on the circumstances.
A conviction for child pornography has major personal, professional consequences
In addition to the possibility of jail time, fines and strict probation, people convicted of offenses related to child pornography will have to register on Texas’s Sex Offender Registry or face additional criminal penalties for failing to do so.
The Sex Offender Registry is public, meaning that employers and neighbors can find out about someone’s past conviction even long after he or she has served his or her punishment. Finding a job and moving on after a conviction of this sort can be difficult.
Someone faced with a child pornography charge should fully understand the legal options and defenses that are available.