When investigators knock on your door to demand your electronic devices, your case takes a serious legal turn. Texas law allows officers to take phones, laptops and hard drives if they hold a valid warrant. Under a digital search warrant, police seize hardware for...
Many assume that "viewing" an image without saving it prevents criminal liability. This is a misconception. Under Texas law, the law does not distinguish between viewing and saving. Knowingly accessing material to view it is a third-degree felony, carrying the same...
The traditional definition of child pornography under Texas Penal Code, Section 43.26 includes any visual material depicting an actual child (under 18) engaged in sexual conduct. Historically, this meant the law targeted photos or videos of real minors. Purely...
Whether it is through texts or social media platforms, teens in Texas and states across the nation use their phones to send a wide range of photos, media and messages. While this can easily be brushed off as normal behaviors of teens today, the unfortunate reality is...
In an effort to crack down on the creation of child pornography, Texas imposes sever penalties for all kinds of related charges. Even possessing such materials is enough to face significant jail time and other penalties. Under Texas Penal Code Sec. 43.26, knowingly or...
Most Texans are aware that allegations of involvement in the production or distribution of child pornography can lead to troublesome consequences far removed from the criminal law realm. The recent troubles of the pastor of a Calvary Chapel congregation in Woodlands,...
As technology advances, the legal system encounters new challenges, particularly with artificial intelligence’s role in creating content. One such new legal complexity is the treatment of AI-generated child pornography in Texas and under federal law. Texas law and AI...
For some crimes, the allegations alone can cause a significant impact on the accused. When an individual in Texas is faced with child pornography charges, they are not only overwhelmed by the severe penalties that could follow a conviction, but the impact the charges...
Child pornography charges are many people’s worst nightmare. This is quite understandable, since the child pornography charges in Texas come with serious penalties. Texas law defines child pornography as the promotion, use or exploitation of children under age 18 for...
Child pornography charges are serious criminal charges, which can result in serious penalties and consequences. For that reason, accused individuals facing child pornography charges should be familiar with what is considered child pornography. What are child...
