League City Child Pornography Defense Attorney
Child pornography charges in League City carry some of the harshest penalties in the Texas criminal justice system.
These accusations can result in decades in federal prison, sex offender registration for life, and complete destruction of your personal and professional reputation.
What makes these cases particularly complex is that they often involve both state and federal law enforcement agencies, and many are prosecuted in federal court.
Our experienced League City child pornography defense lawyers understand that many people facing these charges never intended to commit any crime. Files can appear on your computer through malware, shared networks, or accidental downloads.
Federal agents may have already seized your devices, searched your home, or contacted your employer before you even knew you were under investigation. The digital evidence in these cases requires sophisticated technical analysis and aggressive legal defense from child pornography defense attorneys in League City, Texas who understand both the technology and the law.
At Scheiner DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers, we’ve represented clients facing child pornography charges in Galveston County courts and the Southern District of Texas federal court. We know that every hour matters when building your defense, preserving evidence, and protecting your rights.
If you are under investigation or have been charged with possession or distribution of child sexual abuse material in League City, contact us immediately for a confidential consultation.
How Our Child Pornography Defense Lawyers Defend You Against False Accusations
Being accused of possessing or promoting child pornography in League City can destroy your life even when you’re innocent. At Scheiner DWI & Criminal Defense Lawyers, we defend people falsely charged with Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) offenses throughout Galveston County.
Our team defends serious sex crime cases, led by Grant Scheiner, who is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
We understand that false accusations happen more often than people realize. A single click on the wrong link, malware on your computer, or someone else using your internet connection can lead to devastating charges that threaten everything you’ve worked for.
Need Immediate Help in League City? Call for a Confidential Consultation
Child pornography investigations move fast, and every decision you make in the first 72 hours can impact your case. We provide free confidential consultations because we know how urgent these situations are.
Contact us now for immediate help with child pornography charges in League City.
What Is Child Pornography Under Texas Penal Code § 43.26
Texas Penal Code § 43.26 defines child pornography as any visual material showing a person under 18 engaged in sexual conduct. The law covers photographs, videos, digital files, and even temporary internet files stored automatically on your device.
“Possession” under Texas law is extremely broad. You can be charged even if images were downloaded without your knowledge through pop-up ads, email attachments, or cached files from websites you visited.
What Must Prosecutors Prove in a CSAM Case
To convict you of child pornography charges, Galveston County prosecutors must prove specific elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- Knowledge: You knew the illegal material existed on your device
- Control: You had the ability to access, view, or delete the files
- Minor Depicted: The person shown was actually under 18 when the material was created
- Sexual Content: The material depicts sexual conduct as defined by Texas law
Each element must be proven separately. If we can show doubt about any single element, the entire case can fall apart.
Will Your Case Be State or Federal in League City
Child pornography cases in League City can be prosecuted in either Galveston County state court or federal court. Federal charges typically apply when files crossed state lines through the internet, which happens in most cases involving downloads or file sharing.
Federal penalties are much harsher than state charges. Federal cases also have different rules for evidence, sentencing, and plea negotiations.
What Are the Penalties and Sex Offender Registration Requirements
A conviction carries severe consequences that extend far beyond prison time. The penalties depend on whether you face state or federal charges.
| Charge Level | Prison Time | Sex Offender Registration |
| State (3rd Degree Felony) | 2-10 years | 10 years to life |
| Federal | 5-20 years minimum | Lifetime |
Beyond prison, you’ll face job loss, housing restrictions, and permanent damage to your reputation. Doctors accused of sex crimes face additional consequences including loss of medical licenses and hospital privileges. Professional licenses can be revoked, and you may lose custody of your children.
What Should You Do in the First 72 Hours
The actions you take immediately after learning about an investigation or receiving a search warrant are critical to your defense.
Step-by-Step Actions to Protect Your Case
- Do not speak to police, federal agents, or investigators without your attorney present
- Do not delete anything from your devices or clear your browser history
- Document everyone who has had access to your computers, phones, and Wi-Fi network
- Contact our experienced League City criminal defense attorneys immediately
Any attempt to delete files can be seen as destruction of evidence, even if you’re trying to remove unrelated personal information.
How Do We Challenge Digital Forensics and Device Searches
Most child pornography cases rely entirely on digital evidence, which is often less reliable than prosecutors claim. Our firm has the technical expertise to challenge forensic evidence and expose weaknesses in the government’s case.
Digital evidence can be misleading or incomplete. We work with computer forensics experts to examine how files arrived on your device and whether you actually had knowledge or control.
Common Digital Evidence Defenses
- IP Address vs Identity: Your IP address only shows a device at your location accessed material, not who was using it
- Cached Files: Browsers automatically save images from websites without your knowledge or consent
- Shared Access: Family members, guests, or roommates could have used your devices or network
- Malware: Malicious software can download illegal files without your knowledge
When Can We Suppress Evidence From a Search or Seizure
The Fourth Amendment protects you from illegal searches and seizures. If police violated your constitutional rights during their investigation, we can file motions to suppress the evidence they collected.
Common violations include searching without a proper warrant, exceeding the scope of a search warrant, or coercing you into consenting to a search. When evidence is suppressed, prosecutors often cannot prove their case and must dismiss the charges.
What Happens After Arrest in Galveston County and League City
After arrest in League City, you’ll be taken to Galveston County Jail for booking and processing. You’ll appear before a magistrate for a bond hearing, where the judge sets your bail amount and any conditions for release.
Your case will then be presented to a Galveston County grand jury, which decides whether to formally indict you. We can intervene at every stage to protect your rights and begin building your defense immediately.
Can We Prevent Charges or Win at the Grand Jury Stage
We can sometimes prevent charges from being filed by presenting evidence to the grand jury before they vote on an indictment. This pre-indictment representation allows us to show your side of the story and highlight weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
If the grand jury refuses to indict, the case ends before formal charges are ever filed. This is often the best possible outcome because it prevents the case from becoming public record.
Why Hire a Board-Certified CSAM Defense Team
Grant Scheiner is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This certification requires extensive experience, continuing education, and passing a rigorous examination.
Our team has specific training in digital forensics, federal court procedures, and the complex technical issues that arise in child pornography cases. We understand both the technology involved and the legal strategies needed to fight these charges effectively.
How Do We Protect Your Privacy, Career, and Family
We handle every case with complete discretion to protect your privacy and reputation. We understand that these allegations threaten your career, professional licenses, and family relationships.
Our approach focuses on minimizing public exposure while aggressively defending your case. We work to keep sensitive information confidential and protect your interests throughout the legal process.
Results and Client Trust
Our firm defends clients facing serious sex crime allegations in League City and throughout Texas. Our track record includes dismissed charges, not guilty verdicts, and reduced penalties for clients facing the most serious accusations.
We’ve built our reputation on fighting for every client’s freedom and future. While we cannot guarantee specific results, our history demonstrates our commitment to achieving the best possible outcome in every case.
Where We Defend CSAM Charges Near League City
Our legal team represents clients in state and federal courts throughout the League City area:
- Galveston County District Courts
- Southern District of Texas Federal Court (Houston and Galveston Divisions)
- Harris County Criminal Courts (when applicable)
We handle cases in all surrounding communities including Pearland, Friendswood, Webster, Clear Lake, and Kemah.
Start Your Confidential Consultation
We provide confidential case evaluations to help you understand your legal situation and options. Our team is available 24/7 because legal emergencies don’t wait for business hours.
Time is critical in these cases. The sooner we begin working on your defense, the better we can protect your rights and build a strong case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a League City Case Become a Federal Case?
Yes, if the investigation shows images were downloaded or shared across state lines via the internet, federal prosecutors can take jurisdiction over your case.
When Can I Get My Devices Back?
Your devices will typically be held as evidence until your case is resolved, but we can petition the court for return of non-essential items or devices not related to the charges.
Do Thumbnails, Cache Files, or Streaming Count as Possession in Texas?
Yes, Texas law is very broad and any visual depiction found on your device can be considered “possession,” even if it was saved automatically or temporarily by your browser.
Can Shared Wi-Fi or an IP Address Alone Convict Me?
No, an IP address or shared network access alone is not sufficient for conviction. Prosecutors must prove you personally and knowingly possessed the illegal material.
Should I Talk to Detectives or Take a Polygraph Test?
Never speak with law enforcement or agree to any tests without your criminal defense attorney present to protect your rights and advise you.
Will I Have to Register as a Sex Offender if I Get Probation?
Yes, in Texas almost any conviction or deferred adjudication for child pornography requires mandatory sex offender registration, even with probation.
Can You Stop Charges at the Grand Jury Level in Galveston County?
Yes, we can present evidence to the grand jury to convince them not to issue an indictment, which stops the case before formal charges are filed.
How Do Bond Conditions Restricting Contact With Minors Work?
Courts typically order no contact with any minors as a bond condition, which unfortunately can include your own children until the case is resolved.