Child Pornography Attorney in Galveston, TX
A Galveston child pornography lawyer represents people accused of some of the most serious and aggressively prosecuted criminal charges under Texas and federal law. Cases often start quietly as a digital investigation, but can escalate quickly to search warrants, device seizures, and life-changing allegations.
Accused individuals face not only lengthy prison sentences, but also sex offender registration and lifelong reputational harm. The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates takes these cases seriously, with the urgency and discretion they deserve and a defense-minded approach to challenging evidence, procedure, and prosecutorial assumptions from day one. A seasoned Galveston criminal defense lawyer from our firm can help defend against these charges.
Hire a Child Pornography Lawyer
The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates has a deep bench of criminal defense experience in high-stakes felony and federal cases. Tad Nelson is a board-certified criminal law specialist with decades of trial and appellate practice, focused on disciplined preparation and courtroom advocacy in complex and contested prosecutions.
With Amber Spurlock’s dogged, detail-oriented investigation and hands-on case management, we defend child pornography cases with strategic precision and careful review of the evidence, focused on protecting constitutional rights at every stage.
How Child Pornography Investigations Begin and Escalate
Investigations into child pornography can begin well in advance of an arrest. Police may receive tips from internet providers, online surveillance software, or undercover monitoring of file-sharing networks. Activity that triggers these alerts can quickly become the subject of search warrants, computer forensics, and witness interviews.
Judicial records provide insight into the extent of enforcement. The US Sentencing Commission, for instance, reports that there was more than a 34% increase in the number of federal child pornography offenses between 2020 and 2024.
These prosecutions typically feature intricate digital forensic evidence, multiple jurisdictions, and disputed inferences as to what the user intended. Early legal guidance is vital, as decisions made at the investigation stage can have a lasting impact on the course of the case.
Severe Penalties and Federal Prosecution Exposure
Child pornography allegations are among the most serious criminal charges in the United States. Certain cases, like those involving allegations of receipt, distribution, or production under federal law, may carry mandatory minimum sentences.
Other penalties include stringent supervision terms and collateral consequences that last long after a person has completed their prison sentence. Cases can also be prosecuted in federal court, especially when the conduct is alleged to have crossed state lines or to have occurred over the internet.
National enforcement data also shows how vigorously these matters are pursued. For example, the Department of Justice recently announced that a nationwide law enforcement operation, known as Operation Restore Justice, had led to the arrest of 205 defendants and the rescue of 115 children.
With so much at stake, defense strategies must be carefully considered in light of evidence admissibility, due process requirements, and constitutional rights from the beginning of the investigation.
Child Pornography Charges in Galveston and Local Enforcement Factors
Galveston child pornography cases can often involve multiple law enforcement agencies, such as the Galveston Police Department, other Galveston County law enforcement agencies, and federal law enforcement agencies like Homeland Security Investigations or the FBI.
Investigations can be based on internet use associated with short-term rentals, hotels, cruise terminals, or shared internet connections around the Port of Galveston, or residential locations in island or mainland areas of Galveston County.
Search warrants and seizures of electronic devices are often made early on in an investigation, and sometimes before charges are even filed. Understanding how agencies in the Galveston area investigate digital media, conduct search warrants, and work with federal prosecutors is an essential part of forming a child pornography defense.
FAQs About Child Pornography in Galveston, TX
Can Charges Be Filed Without Any Images Being Shared With Others?
Distribution is not always a necessary element of child pornography charges. In some cases, the possession of such images may be enough for a charge under Texas or federal law. Technicalities related to how the files were obtained, saved, viewed, or stored on a device are common elements in child pornography cases. These technical details can also be important factors for your defense.
What Happens to Seized Phones and Computers After an Arrest?
Electronic devices are typically sent for forensic analysis, which may take months to complete. During this time, law enforcement examines storage locations, metadata, internet history, and user activity. Access to devices is usually restricted while analysis is ongoing. How data is extracted and interpreted can significantly affect the direction of the case and potential defenses.
Does an Accusation Automatically Require Sex Offender Registration?
Registration on the sex offender registry is not immediate at the accusation level. The possibility of registration after the case is based on whether a conviction is ultimately obtained, what you were charged with, and whether the case is filed in state or federal court. Registration for certain crimes can have lifelong consequences. For this reason, preventing a result that would mandate registration for your case may be a primary goal of your defense.
Should I Speak to Law Enforcement if Investigators Contact Me?
Contact from an investigator does not necessarily mean that a charge has been filed. A statement made to an investigator can also be used against you at a later point in the case. These cases are often based on the evidence and can be extremely thorough. Be sure to know your rights and fully understand the consequences before speaking with law enforcement without the assistance of an attorney.
Contact a Galveston Child Pornography Lawyer
Child pornography charges have extraordinary legal, personal, and reputational consequences. These cases are fast-moving, digital evidence-intensive, and aggressively prosecuted at the state and federal levels. Immediate and strategic action is required when these charges are presented in Galveston in order to preserve constitutional rights and minimize long-term exposure.
The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates responds to these matters with discretion, a sense of urgency, and a disciplined defense strategy. In many cases, effective legal representation can focus on evidence, procedure, and jurisdiction, and make a material difference in how a case is charged, litigated, and resolved under Texas and federal law. Book a consultation to hire a child pornography lawyer to fight for you.