{"id":374222,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:51","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-child-pornography-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-09-20T11:43:27","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T16:43:27","slug":"minnesota-child-pornography-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/minnesota-law\/minnesota-child-pornography-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Minnesota Child Pornography Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Minnesota Child Pornography Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

There are federal laws against child pornography. There are also state laws banning the possession, creation, and dissemination of obscene material involving children. Minnesota takes this crime very seriously and has several laws addressing the ways a person may create, use, or access child pornography<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

If you’re facing child pornography charges, you should get to know these laws. If the state convicts you of these criminal charges, the judge may sentence you to prison time and assess thousands of dollars in fines. You’ll also have to register as a sex offender.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we’ll explain Minnesota’s child pornography laws. We’ll also discuss the penalties for distribution of child pornography and other related sex crimes. Finally, we’ll describe the defenses to this crime.<\/p>\r\n

Minnesota Child Pornography Laws at a Glance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

It’s a lot easier to understand Minnesota’s child pornography laws when someone explains them in<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code sections<\/th>\r\n

Minnesota Statutes Sections:<\/p>\r\n

Minn. Code 617.245 \u2014 Use of Minors in Sexual Performance Prohibited<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Minn. Code 617.247 \u2014 Possession of Pornographic Work Involving Minors<\/a><\/p>\r\n

Minn. Code 617.293 \u2014 Harmful Materials; Dissemination and Display to Minors Prohibited<\/a><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Minnesota law prohibits the following acts<\/th>\r\n

Use of Minors in Sexual Performance Prohibited<\/b><\/p>\r\n

Penalties<\/th>\r\n

Criminal Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n

The above crimes are subject to the following penalties in Minnesota:<\/p>\r\n

Defenses<\/th>\r\n

Consent is not a defense<\/a> to creating or possessing child porn. A child\u2019s parent or guardian does not have a legal right to consent to their child engaging in child pornography. In State v. Canady<\/i><\/a>, a Minnesota Court held that mistake about the minor\u2019s age is no defense to child porn charges.<\/p>\r\n

One valid defense is that you are a member of law enforcement, work for the court, or are an attorney, doctor, psychologist, or social worker handling pornographic material for professional purposes.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Note:<\/b><\/i> State laws change frequently. It\u2019s essential to verify the laws you’re researching by conducting legal research or contacting a Minnesota <\/i>sex crimes attorney<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

How Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If you\u2019re facing child pornography charges in Minnesota, it\u2019s a good idea to talk to a criminal defense lawyer<\/a>. The penalties for these crimes are severe. A child pornography conviction will affect the rest of your life.<\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/b><\/h2>\r\n