Utah Sexual Exploitation Lawyer

Being charged with sexual exploitation in Utah can have consequences that could affect you for the rest of your life. Having any sort of sex related on your crime can affect future jobs and is a huge blemish on your record. The penalties can include jail time, hefty fines, and a reputation for acts you might have been falsely accused of. Let Weber Law help you today.

WHAT IS SEXUAL EXPLOITATION?

There are two statutes in Utah that cover sexual exploitation. These are sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Sexual exploitation of a minor includes but is not limited to when a person:

• Knowingly produces, possesses, or possesses with intent to distribute child pornography; or
• Intentionally distributes or views child pornography.

Additionally, you can be charged with sexual exploitation of a minor if you are the child’s parent or legal guardian and knowingly consents to or permits the child to be sexually exploited for the purpose of creating child pornography.

Sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult includes but is not limited to when a person:

• Knowingly produces, possesses, or possesses with intent to distribute material that the person knows is vulnerable adult pornography; or
• Intentionally distributes or views material that the person knows is vulnerable adult pornography; and
• That vulnerable adult lacks capacity to consent to any of the sexual acts in the pornography.

Additionally, you can be charged with sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult if you are that vulnerable adult’s legal guardian and you knowingly consent to, or permit the vulnerable adult to be, sexually exploited for the purpose of creating vulnerable adult pornography.

It is important to note that you could be charged with multiple counts of exploitation, depending on how many children or vulnerable adults are depicted in the pornography, how much child or vulnerable adult pornography you have produced, or have in your possession. 

WHAT IS THE PENALTY?

Sexual exploitation of a minor is a second degree felony in the state of Utah. A second degree felony is punishable by one to fifteen years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000 fine.

Sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult is a third degree felony in the state of Utah. A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.00.

Additionally, if you have a record of sexual exploitation, it could hinder your chances of working in certain places, such as with children, banks, or even a charitable organization.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE BEEN CITED WITH SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF A CHILD OR VULNERABLE ADULT?

It can be a scary and stressful to have pending criminal charges. There is an added note of seriousness to a charge dealing with a sex crime that could affect you for the rest of your life. Weber Law is here to walk you through the process and defend you every step of the way. Weber Law will work to get your citation dismissed or lowered by looking at potential defenses and any evidence associated with the citation. This could include where you obtained the media from, how much media was in your possession, and even your prior criminal record. Mistakes happen, and Weber Law wants to be there to fight for you. 

Potential defenses include mistakes or accidents, such as not knowing what the media you possessed contained, lack of evidence, arguing that there was actually no exploitation occurring, not knowing the person was underage, or vulnerable, not actually consenting as a child or vulnerable adult’s legal guardian, or looking at the police report to see if they had probable cause for an arrest. 

If you are not sure how to proceed with a ticket, let Weber Law give you the next steps. Let Weber Law help keep your record clean and live your life free of criminal charges. The court room can be intimidating, and this is not a charge you want to face alone. Let Weber Law’s team of experienced lawyers walk you through the process and do the stressing and worrying for you. If you or someone you know have been cited for sexual exploitation of a child or vulnerable adult, contact Weber Law today for a consultation.

• Utah Code § 76-5b-201, Sexual exploitation of a minor – offenses
• Utah Code § 76-9-702, Lewdness
• Utah Code § 76-3-204, misdemeanor conviction – term of imprisonment
• Utah Code § 76-3-203, Felony conviction—indeterminate term of imprisonment
• Utah Code § 76-3-301, fines of individuals