Child Pornography Attorneys in Phoenix
Facing Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Charges in Arizona?
A child pornography charge, also known as sexual exploitation of a minor in Arizona, is one of the most serious criminal accusations a person can face. If you have been arrested, had your devices seized, or are under investigation at either the state or federal level, the steps you take next can define the outcome of your case.
At MayesTelles, we have 200+ years of collective experience defending individuals against child pornography charges and related sex crimes in Arizona. Our founding partner, David Telles, spent years working as a prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Unit at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, so we understand these cases from the inside out.
We know how these investigations are built and where the evidence breaks down. If you were charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, choose a team of former prosecutors with insider knowledge.
Why People Trust Us to Fight Their Child Pornography Charges
- We were voted Arizona's #1 criminal defense firm for the last seven years.
- Several of our attorneys are former prosecutors. We know how the other side thinks.
- We've won thousands of cases, including complete dismissals in DCAC cases.
- Our attorneys bring over 200+ years of experience to every case we handle.
- We offer free, no-obligation consultations and are available 24/7.
- We offer bilingual support for Spanish-speaking clients.
Proven Results in Child Pornography Cases
If you are facing charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), call MayesTelles at (602) 428-7104 for a free consultation with our Phoenix child pornography lawyers.
What Is Child Pornography Under Arizona Law?
In Arizona, possessing child pornography is covered under ARS § 13-3553, sexual exploitation of a minor.
Under this statute, a person commits sexual exploitation of a minor by knowingly:
- Recording, filming, photographing, developing, or duplicating any type of visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexual poses or sexual conduct.
- Distributing, transporting, exhibiting, receiving, selling, purchasing, possessing, exchanging, or electronically transmitting any visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexual poses or sexual conduct.
The word "knowingly" is critical. The prosecution must prove you knew what you possessed or transmitted. This element is often where the defense begins.
A separate but related offense, commercial sexual exploitation of a minor under A.R.S. § 13-3552, applies when someone uses, employs, or profits from a minor's involvement in sexual conduct or visual depictions. If you are facing charges under either statute, contact our defense team at MayesTelles immediately.
Get answers to common questions
Arizona Penalties for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor
These charges carry some of the harshest mandatory sentences under Arizona law.
Sexual exploitation of a minor is a Class 2 felony in Arizona. When the minor depicted is under 15 years of age, sentencing falls under Arizona's Dangerous Crimes Against Children (DCAC) framework.
Under the DCAC sentencing structure:
- Each visual depiction is charged as a separate count
- Each count carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years, up to 24 years in prison
- Sentences for multiple counts run consecutively, meaning they stack
- A person convicted of three counts involving a minor under 15 faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years
To be clear: this means the maximum penalty for a sexual exploitation conviction involving multiple images can exceed the maximum penalty for second-degree murder in Arizona.
Even where the minor is 15 or older, sexual exploitation of a minor remains a Class 2 felony with significant mandatory prison exposure. Additionally, any conviction will require lifetime registration as a sex offender.
Federal Child Pornography Charges
Many child pornography cases in Arizona are prosecuted federally rather than at the state level, or both simultaneously.
Federal charges typically arise when:
- Images or videos were transmitted online across state lines or internationally
- A federal agency (FBI, ICE/HSI, or the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force) conducted the investigation
- The case involves peer-to-peer file sharing networks, dark web activity, or cloud storage
- There is an interstate commerce element to the alleged conduct
Federal child pornography charges are governed primarily by 18 U.S.C. § 2252 and 18 U.S.C. § 2256.
Federal mandatory minimums are severe, typically 5 to 20 years for possession and distribution, and up to 30 years in certain aggravated circumstances. Federal sentences often run longer than comparable state sentences.
Our child pornography attorneys at MayesTelles PLLC handle both state and federal sex crime cases. If you are facing charges in U.S. District Court in Arizona, or if you believe a federal investigation is underway, contact us immediately. Pre-charge intervention is often the most critical window in a federal case, so don't wait to act.
Challenging the Bias in Child Pornography Cases
Somewhere along the line, courts began interpreting defendants charged with viewing child pornography as a danger to society. The nature of the offense can create an unfair bias against defendants in child pornography possession cases.
As one judge put it, the interests of defendants in these cases are “so foreign that our citizens want them permanently removed from society,” a punishment that clearly does not fit the alleged crime.
Juries and judges might also make the incorrect assumption that everyone who views child pornography will also eventually, or at least has the desire to, carry out the act and harm a child. This is simply not the case. A line must be drawn between viewing child pornography and being a danger to society.
At MayesTelles, you can trust us to fight that bias head-on.
Our attorneys have sat on both sides of the courtroom. We have seen how prosecutors frame these cases to maximize fear, and we know how to counter it. Defending you means more than challenging evidence; it means making sure a judge or jury sees the full picture of who you are, not just the crime you have been charged with.
You deserve a defense built on facts, not assumptions. That is exactly what we provide.
Contact Our Phoenix Child Pornography Attorneys
If you or someone you love has been arrested, had devices seized, or is under investigation for child pornography or sexual exploitation of a minor in Arizona, contact MayesTelles right now. Every hour matters at this stage.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and your initial consultation is free. We serve clients throughout the Phoenix metro area, including Maricopa County, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Prescott, and handle both state and federal child pornography cases across Arizona.
With former prosecutors on our team and experience handling thousands of state and federal cases, we are well-versed in the defenses available. We will work tirelessly to help you achieve a favorable result.
Call us today at (602) 428-7104 to get started on your defense. We take calls 24/7.
Common Questions
About Child Pornography/Sexual Exploitation Charges in Arizona
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Can I be charged with state and federal crimes for the same conduct?Yes. The U.S. Constitution permits both state and federal prosecution for the same underlying conduct without violating double jeopardy protections, because state and federal offenses are considered separate sovereigns. This is common in child pornography cases where federal agencies conducted or participated in the investigation. MayesTelles handles both state and federal cases and can coordinate your defense across both simultaneously.
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Will I have to register as a sex offender if I'm convicted?
A conviction for sexual exploitation of a minor requires lifetime sex offender registration in Arizona under A.R.S. § 13-3821. Registration carries restrictions on where you can live, work, and travel, and requires regular check-ins with law enforcement. It is publicly accessible. This is one of the most significant long-term consequences of a conviction, and it is a major reason why fighting these charges from the start, rather than accepting a plea without exploring every option, matters so much.
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Will anyone find out I called a lawyer?No. Your initial consultation with MayesTelles is confidential. We handle these cases with full discretion and without judgment.
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Can I afford to hire a private defense attorney?
MayesTelles offers free initial consultations and flexible payment plans. Given what is at stake, including mandatory minimum prison sentences of 10 or more years per count, lifetime sex offender registration, and the permanent consequences of a felony conviction, this is not a situation where representation should be left to chance or put in the hands of an inexperienced public defender. Call us to discuss your options.
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Is it too late to call if I've already been charged?No. It is never too late to get a qualified attorney involved. Even after charges are filed, there is significant work to be done: challenging evidence, filing motions, negotiating with prosecutors, and preparing for trial. The earlier you call, the more options are available.
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My devices were seized. Does that mean I will be charged?
Not necessarily. Device seizure often precedes charges by weeks or months while law enforcement conducts forensic analysis. This period before charges are filed is a critical window. Hiring an attorney now — before indictment — gives your defense team the best opportunity to intervene, challenge the scope of the investigation, and potentially affect what charges, if any, are filed. Do not wait.
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What if the images were in my browser cache or temporary files?
Arizona and federal courts have addressed this issue, and the answer depends heavily on the specific facts. The prosecution must prove you knowingly possessed the material. Automatically cached files present a different legal analysis than intentionally saved or organized content. This is exactly the kind of fact-specific issue an experienced attorney needs to evaluate immediately.
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Can I be charged even if I never downloaded anything — just viewed it?Potentially, yes. Viewing an image causes it to be temporarily stored on your device in ways that can be recovered forensically. How that storage is characterized legally is a nuanced question that varies by case and by how the evidence is presented. An attorney needs to review the specific facts and the forensic evidence before any conclusions are drawn.
Other Charges That May Accompany a Sexual Exploitation Case
In some child pornography cases, prosecutors will file additional charges alongside the sexual exploitation counts if their investigation uncovers other related crimes or conduct, such as:
- Luring a minor for sexual exploitation may be added when the investigation involves any communication with a minor, or someone believed to be a minor, including law enforcement sting operations.
- Contact offenses, including molestation, sexual conduct with a minor, or continuous sexual abuse, may be added when there is any allegation of physical contact alongside the digital evidence.
- Voyeurism may be charged alongside exploitation when the alleged conduct involved recording minors without consent, such as through a hidden camera.
- Unlawful disclosure of images (revenge porn) charges may apply when sexual images of a minor are shared without consent, including situations where one minor shares explicit images of another.
- Tampering with evidence is sometimes added when a defendant is suspected of deleting files, destroying a device, or taking any steps to conceal evidence after becoming aware of an investigation.
When multiple counts are charged, an experienced defense lawyer needs to evaluate every count, every piece of evidence, and every charging decision the prosecution has made. At MayesTelles, this begins the moment you call.
We've Won Thousands of Cases
From complete case dismissals in Dangerous Crimes Against Children matters to DUI charges dropped to reckless driving — here is a sample of what our attorneys have achieved for clients across Phoenix and Arizona.
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Multiple Counts of Sex Crimes
Our client faced multiple charges, including: Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, Voyeurism, and Tampering with Physical Evidence. We were able to get our client's charges reduced to one count of Negligent Child Abuse.
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Client Faced 5 Felony Sex Offenses
Our client, Mr. C., was charged with five counts of felony sex offenses, including two counts of Sex Conduct with a Minor and three counts of Molestation of a Child. We were able to get the case dismissed upon a successful Motion to Dismiss. Location: Maricopa County Superior Court
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Client Charged with Prostitution
MayesTelles was able to achieve a case dismissal on behalf of a client charged with Prostitution.
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Dangerous Crime Against Children Charge
Our client was charged with Sexual Conduct with a Minor, which in Arizona is a Dangerous Crime Against Children. We were able to take this serious felony sex offense and achieve a complete case dismissal for our client.
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Client Acquitted in Jury Trial
Client JG was charged with Indecent Exposure, a Class 1 Misdemeanor, in the East Mesa Justice Court. We had a jury trial and JG was acquitted of the charge.
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Child Molestation, Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Aggravated Assault
Client RJ was falsely accused of 18 counts Child Molestation, Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Aggravated Assault. During the course of their representation, the attorneys at MayesTelles were able to force the State to dismiss half of the counts. The case proceeded to trial on the remaining counts. Following a lengthy trial, the jury acquitted RJ of all charges.
Why Choose MayesTelles PLLC?
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200+ Years of Combined ExperienceExperience spanning criminal defense, personal injury & immigration
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1,000+ Cases · Acquittals & Case Dismissals
Felonies, misdemeanors, sex crimes, DUI, drug charges & more
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Top 100 Trial Lawyers — both founding partners
The National Trial Lawyers · Invite only · Mayes & Telles
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Available 24/7 — including weekends & holidays
We pick up. Pre-charge intervention available from the first call.
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Former Prosecutors & Law Enforcement
MCAO Sex Crimes Unit · DEA · Secret Service · U.S. Air Force
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AV Preeminent® · J. Blake Mayes
Martindale-Hubbell® highest peer rating · Since 2009