Child
pornography bill a good step
(Updated: Tuesday, March 7, 2006 4:57 PM CST)
A new bill passed by the
Alabama Legislature makes it possible for those who
prey upon children to face multiple charges when
they create or download child pornography on their
computers.
In the past prosecutors could only charge pedophiles
with a single charge when they possessed thousands
of images of child pornography on their computers.
Now they will be able to charge a separate count for
each image.
Likewise those who create child pornography can be
charged with a separate offense for each child
depicted.
Under the bill, to knowingly possess child
pornography, each count is a class C felony
punishable with one year and a day to 10 years.
To knowingly disseminate or display publicly, each
count is a class B felony punishable with two to 20
years.
To knowingly possess with intent to disseminate, and
having three or more of the same image is prima
facie evidence of intent to disseminate, each count
a class B felony punishable by two to 20 years.
For a parent or guardian to knowingly permit a child
to engage in the production of child pornography
each count is a class A felony punishable with 10 to
99 years.
And to knowingly produce child pornography is a
class A felony punishable with 10 to 99 years.
State Rep. Cam Ward sponsored the House version and
Sen. Larry Dixon sponsored the senate version. Both
deserve a pat on the back.
As Ward said, this bill gives prosecutors some real
tools with which to fight these criminals.
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