Arizona Child Pornography Laws

In Arizona, child pornography crimes are very serious. One Arizona defendant got sentenced to 200 years in prison without the possibility of parole for having 20 images of child pornography.

The state bans three separate acts of child pornography: recording, distributing, and possessing. What does that mean? Suppose you knowingly record or film child pornography — also known as child sexual abuse material or CSAM — and distribute it to others or create or possess it. In that case, you violate Arizona law.

Is Child Pornography Protected Under the First Amendment?

Images of child pornography are not considered protected speech by the Constitution. They are internet sex crimes and a form of child sexual exploitation. In modern times instances of child pornography happen more frequently on the internet or even on a smartphone. Most convictions will lead to registration on the sex offender registry. Once registered, a person may be on the list for life.

Arizona Child Pornography Laws: Chart

An Arizona child pornography conviction carries severe penalties, including a minimum of 10 years prison time for each violation, fines, a long probationary sentence, a criminal record, and sex offender registration. The convicted person must serve each count consecutively.

The following table highlights the main provisions of Arizona state laws on child pornography (Sexual Exploitation of a Minor). See Cyber Crimes, Sex Crimes, and Child Pornography and Selfies for more information.

Note: State laws are not carved in stone and may change at any time through the enactment of newly signed legislation or voter-approved ballot initiatives, higher court rulings, or other means. While we strive to ensure these pages' accuracy, you may also want to contact an Arizona criminal defense attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

Federal Child Pornography Crimes

Child pornography is also a federal crime. Victim advocacy groups, several state legislatures, and the DOJ are moving to change terminology around child pornography laws. The preferred term is CSAM. But the term "child pornography" is still broadly used.

Federal laws addressing child pornography are:

• 18 U.S.C. § 2251 — Sexual Exploitation of Children (Production of child pornography)
• 18 U.S.C. § 2251A — Selling and Buying of Children
• 18 U.S.C. § 2252 — Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors (possession, distribution, and receipt of child pornography)
• 18 U.S.C. § 2252A — Certain activities relating to material constituting or containing child pornography
• 18 U.S.C. § 2260 — Production of sexually explicit depictions of a minor for importation into the United States

Law Enforcement

• Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Arizona division, (623) 466-1999
• Arizona local law enforcement

Charged With Child Pornography? You'll Want a Good Lawyer

Because child pornography laws can sometimes get complicated, it is in your best interests to consult an experienced Arizona sex crimes attorney if you have questions about your specific situation. A good lawyer can explain the law and potential consequences of a conviction or plea deal. Contact an experienced Arizona criminal defense attorney today for legal advice.