Ocean City, MD Internet Sex Crimes Lawyers

Knowledgeable Attorneys Representing People Accused of Online Sex Crimes in Ocean City, Maryland

Online sex crimes are taken seriously in Maryland. Many of these offenses can be charged as felonies with hard prison time, with the additional punishment of having to register on the public sex offender list. It is no exaggeration to say that these charges can destroy your reputation, and if you have been accused of an internet sex crime, you should seek out legal representation as soon as you can.

At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we stand ready to defend clients facing online sex crime charges. We know how serious the consequences can be in these cases, and we will fight to minimize the charges against you at every opportunity.

Revenge Porn

Revenge pornography is criminalized under Maryland's stalking and harassment laws. This crime is defined as distributing intimate photos or video of another person engaged in a sexual act or with their private parts exposed, specifically without that person's consent. Although this is only a misdemeanor offense, the penalties for conviction are serious, with a prison sentence of up to two years and a possible $5,000 fine.

Note also that the revenge porn law does not apply to cases where a person voluntarily exposed themselves in a public or commercial setting, or in cases where the alleged offender was trying to report an illegal act. At the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP, we will explore all possible defenses for your case, and as part of our investigation, we may question if consent was given to distribute the photos or videos. You can rest assured that our attorneys will fight to keep you out of prison and avoid a disruption to your life.

Prostitution

Prostitution and soliciting a prostitute's services are strictly prohibited in Maryland. No sexual act needs to have occurred in order for this charge to apply. All the prosecution needs to secure a conviction is intent. If you made an offer for sexual services in exchange for money, you could be charged with prostitution, a misdemeanor offense under Maryland law punishable by a $500 fine and up to a year of jail time.

Online or electronic communications may be used as evidence in a prostitution case. Texts, direct messages, phone calls, or voicemails between an alleged prostitute and a prospective customer can show proof of intent. We may be able to suppress the evidence against you if it was obtained in an illegal search and seizure by law enforcement.

Charges of Child Pornography

Possessing or distributing indecent material depicting minors is a serious crime that can result in sex offender registration and other penalties. A first count of possession is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 5 years in prison, but any subsequent conviction will be charged as a felony with a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. You may be protected from prosecution if you found child pornography that had been acquired by someone else, took measures to destroy the visual representations, and reported it to law enforcement.

Distribution, production, or promotion of child pornography is immediate grounds for a felony offense. For a first violation, this crime is punishable by up to 10 years of incarceration and a fine of no more than $25,000. Our attorneys can call in expert witnesses to help with your case and argue for a lesser offense that may not require sex offender registration.

Meet With an Ocean City, Maryland Internet Sex Crimes Lawyer

Have you been accused of an online sex crime in Maryland? If so, the Law Offices of Murphy & Price LLP is prepared to defend you. Our Ocean City online sex crimes attorneys will carry out a full investigation on your behalf and take steps to minimize the damaging impact of a sentence. Call our offices at 410-280-2500 or reach out to us online for a free consultation.