Child Porn Conviction for Woman Attempting to Frame Husband

Meri Woods was convicted of downloading child pornography (“child Porn”) in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. She tried to frame her husband by downloading the photographs of child porn. She downloaded 40 pictures of child porn on the home computer and then turned it into the police. She then told police that her husband was the one who downloaded child porn or child pornography. She was just recently convicted in Pennsylvania. Unbeknownst to her, the police were able to detect when the pictures were downloaded. The police discovered that the pictures were downloaded after her husband moved out of their home. Woods’s defense relied on the unreliably of the time stamps.

She was also convicted of one count of unsworn falsification to law enforcement. Woods could face up to nine years in prison for the two convictions. She could also be looking at a $20,000 fine. She will be sentenced on December 15, 2014.

Possession of Child pornography and distribution of Child Porn in Minnesota

Individuals convicted of possession of child porn or distribution of child pornography must register as a predatory offender. Prison time is also a likely outcome of a possession of distribution charge. If convicted of distributing child pornography, the sentence could be up to ten years in prison with a $20,000 fine. Consent and mistake of age is not a defense in Minnesota to a charge of distributing or possessing child porn. However, a valid defense could be that the individual was actually 18 years old or older. The consequences are serious and they will likely follow you for the rest of your life.

If you have been charged with possession of child pornography or distribution of child pornography or dissemination of child porn, contact Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for a free consultation. Max Keller has handled many similar cases throughout Minnesota. We will fight for the best possible outcome, and will take the time to explain the criminal process to you. Max Keller is an aggressive Minnesota defense attorney. Call 952-913-1421 today to ensure you have the best defense possible.

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

You may need to hire a criminal defense lawyer even if you have not been charged. A criminal defense lawyer protects your rights when law enforcement officers are investigating you for a crime. Without a lawyer, you might say something that could be incriminating or misconstrued. Your lawyer can engage with the police or the prosecutors and provide evidence that prevents them from filing formal charges. Your lawyer can also go through your case and prepare a defense strategy if there is a possibility of you getting charged.
People arrested or charged with a crime may wonder, “How long do I have to get a criminal lawyer?” There is no strict deadline to hire a criminal lawyer in Minnesota. However, it’s advisable to hire one immediately if you get arrested, charged, or are under investigation for a crime. Getting legal representation on time protects you from making mistakes that can compromise your case. It also allows your lawyer to build a solid defense strategy that can increase your likelihood of getting a positive outcome from your case.
Continuance is what a court grants to delay proceedings. The parties in a criminal case (the prosecution and defense teams) may agree to a continuance to get more time to prepare for the proceedings. There are many reasons that push your defense lawyer in Minnesota to seek a continuance. A good example is when the other party presents surprise witnesses or evidence, requiring more time to work on a new defense. You can also request a continuance if you want to replace your lawyer, especially if you feel you are not getting sufficient representation.