{"id":375617,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:20","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-child-pornography-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-02-27T16:46:41","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T21:46:41","slug":"ohio-child-pornography-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-child-pornography-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Ohio Child Pornography Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Ohio Child Pornography Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\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
\n

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
\n

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

Ohio takes the crime of child pornography seriously. According to the Ohio criminal code, it\u2019s illegal to produce, disseminate, receive, or possess child pornography<\/a>. Until recently, most child pornography cases \u2014 child sexual abuse material (CSAM) \u2014 involved tangible pictures and videotapes. But with the advent of the internet and social media, many recent cases center around electronic forms of CSAM.<\/p>\r\n

If you\u2019re facing CSAM charges, you should get to know Ohio\u2019s child pornography laws. A conviction of a child pornography offense often carries a prison sentence, fines, and mandatory registration on the Ohio Sex Offender List<\/a>. Once an offender registers as a sex offender, they usually stay on the list for life.<\/p>\r\n

Here, we\u2019ll discuss the child pornography laws<\/a> in Ohio. We will also explain the penalties for this crime. Finally, we will discuss the potential defenses to CSAM under Ohio law.<\/p>\r\n

What Counts as Obscene Material?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Ohio law makes it illegal for someone to view, possess, create, reproduce, or disseminate obscene material containing a visual depiction of a minor<\/a> (or mentally impaired person.) The judge or jury in your case will determine whether the material is obscene based on the nature of the content and the sexual activities taking place in the photograph, video, or related material.<\/p>\r\n

Examples of obscene material include:<\/p>\r\n