There’s a lot of harmless browsing people do on the internet. When people search for anything- from shoes to recipes- they might encounter too-intense content. And, for many, that means pornography (especially when it depicts children). So, what happens if you accidentally come across child porn?

If you are worried about accidentally viewing child pornography, don’t be. A single image or webpage is not a crime in the eyes of the law. People who are trying to get away with exploiting children and earn money from it will go through great lengths to do so – including sharing that content online on the “dark web”. Read on to learn more about what you should do if you’ve accidentally come across child pornography and how these cases usually play out.

What the definition of child pornography, or “child abuse material,” is under English law?

Under English law, child pornography is defined as any material that shows a person under the age of 18 engaging in sexual activity or depicted in a sexual way, or any material that is intended to stimulate sexual interest in children. This includes photographs, videos, and other visual media as well as written materials.

It is illegal to create, possess, distribute, or publish child pornography in England and Wales. The maximum penalty for these offenses is 14 years’ imprisonment.

It is important to note that the definition of child pornography under English law includes both real and fictional images. This means that it is illegal to possess or distribute drawings, computer-generated images, or other types of media that depict children in sexual situations, even if the children depicted do not actually exist.

If you are facing charges related to child pornography in England and Wales, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our criminal defence lawyers can provide you with the guidance and support you need to navigate the criminal justice system and defend yourself against the charges you are facing.

What does “intent” mean in the context of someone viewing child pornography?

In the United Kingdom, intent is an important factor in determining whether someone has committed a crime involving child pornography. The prosecution must be able to prove that the defendant intended to view the material in order to secure a conviction.

There are a number of ways in which the prosecution can attempt to establish intent in a case involving child pornography. For example, they may rely on evidence such as:

• The defendant’s internet search history
• The defendant’s possession of other materials related to child pornography
• The defendant’s statements or actions indicating that they were aware that the material was illegal
• The defendant’s attempts to conceal their viewing of the material

It is important to note that intent is a subjective concept and can be difficult to prove. In order to establish intent in a case involving child pornography, the prosecution must be able to provide evidence that the defendant knew that the material was illegal and intended to view it despite this knowledge.

If you are facing charges related to child pornography in the UK, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our criminal defence lawyers can help you understand the charges you are facing and provide you with the guidance and support you need to defend yourself against the charges you are facing.

Use Of Forensic Evidence In Child Pornography Cases In UK

Forensic evidence can be an important factor in cases involving child pornography in the United Kingdom. Forensic evidence is any physical evidence that is collected and analyzed for the purpose of solving a crime. This can include things like DNA, fingerprints, and other physical evidence that can be used to link a suspect to a crime.

In cases involving child pornography, forensic evidence may be used to establish that the defendant viewed or possessed illegal materials. This can include things like:

• Analysis of a suspect’s computer or other electronic devices to determine if they have accessed or stored child pornography
• Analysis of a suspect’s internet search history to determine if they have sought out child pornography
• Analysis of a suspect’s emails or other electronic communications to determine if they have shared or received child pornography

Forensic evidence can be a powerful tool in the investigation and prosecution of crimes involving child pornography, as it can provide objective and verifiable evidence that can be used to support the prosecution’s case.

If you are facing charges related to child pornography in the UK, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our criminal defence lawyers can help you understand the charges you are facing and provide you with the guidance and support you need to defend yourself against the charges you are facing. They can also help you understand the forensic evidence that may be used against you and advise you on the best course of action to take in your case.

Is Viewing Images The Same As Possessing in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, the possession of child pornography is illegal, as is the distribution or publishing of such material. Viewing child pornography is also illegal in certain circumstances, although the specific laws that apply may vary depending on the jurisdiction in which the viewing took place.

In general, viewing images of child pornography is not considered the same as possessing them in the UK. However, if someone views images of child pornography and then takes steps to retain or distribute those images, they may be charged with possession or distribution of child pornography.

For example, if someone views images of child pornography on the internet and then downloads them onto their computer or other device, they may be charged with possession of child pornography. Similarly, if someone views images of child pornography and then shares them with others, they may be charged with distribution of child pornography.

It is important to note that the laws surrounding child pornography are complex and can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case. If you are facing charges related to child pornography in the UK, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our criminal defence lawyers can help you understand the charges you are facing and provide you with the guidance and support you need to defend yourself against the charges you are facing.

What The Defences For Offences Involving Child Pornography?

If you are facing charges related to child pornography in the United Kingdom, you may be able to raise a defence to the charges you are facing. The specific defences that are available to you will depend on the specific circumstances of your case, but some common defences to child pornography charges include:

Lack of knowledge: If you did not know that the material you were viewing or possessing was child pornography, you may be able to use this as a defence. This could be the case, for example, if you were unaware that the images or videos you were viewing were of children or if you believed that the people depicted were over the age of 18.

Mistake of fact: If you were mistaken about the nature of the material you were viewing or possessing, you may be able to use this as a defence. For example, if you believed that the images or videos you were viewing were computer-generated or that the people depicted were over the age of 18, you may be able to use this as a defence.

Lack of intent: If you did not intend to view or possess child pornography, you may be able to use this as a defence. This could be the case, for example, if you accidentally stumbled upon the material or if you were tricked into viewing or possessing it.

Public interest: In some cases, it may be possible to argue that the possession or distribution of child pornography was in the public interest. This could be the case, for example, if you were a journalist or researcher who was investigating the issue of child pornography.

It is important to note that the defences available to you in a case involving child pornography will depend on the specific circumstances of your case and the laws in place in the jurisdiction where you are being charged. If you are facing charges related to child pornography in the UK, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our criminal defence lawyers can help you understand the charges you are facing and provide you with the guidance and support you need to defend yourself against the charges you are facing.

Sentences For Viewing and/or Possession Of Child Pornography in the UK

In the United Kingdom, the penalty for offenses involving child pornography can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the laws in place in the jurisdiction where the offense was committed.

Generally, offenses involving the possession of child pornography are punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Offenses involving the distribution or publishing of child pornography are punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment. Viewing child pornography can also be punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment in certain circumstances, such as if the material was downloaded or otherwise retained.

In determining the appropriate sentence for an offense involving child pornography, the court will consider a variety of factors, including the nature and severity of the offense, the defendant’s criminal history, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances.

It is important to note that sentences for offenses involving child pornography can be severe and may have long-lasting consequences for the defendant. If you are facing charges related to child pornography in the UK, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Our criminal defence lawyers can help you understand the charges you are facing and provide you with the guidance and support you need to defend yourself against the charges you are facing.

What Do Next If You Have Accidentally Viewed Child Pornography?

If you have accidentally viewed child pornography in the United Kingdom, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Even if you did not intentionally view the material and had no intention of possessing or distributing it, you could still face charges if the authorities become aware of your viewing.

Our criminal defence lawyers can provide you with the guidance and support you need to navigate the criminal justice system and defend yourself against any charges you may be facing. They can help you understand your rights and advise you on the best course of action to take to protect your interests.

It is important to be honest with your lawyer about the circumstances surrounding your viewing of the child pornography. This will allow them to better understand your case and to provide you with the most accurate and effective legal advice.

If you have accidentally viewed child pornography in the UK and are in need of legal representation, it is important to seek the advice of a skilled and experienced criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible. They can provide you with the guidance and support you need to defend yourself against any charges you may be facing and protect your interests.

26 December 2022