Indecent Images Solicitors

If you’ve been arrested or charged with an indecent images offence, our expert solicitors are available 24/7 for free initial advice and representation. We provide clear legal support in multiple languages through our accredited interpreters, ensuring your interests are always protected. Contact our London, Birmingham, or Manchester offices anytime for immediate assistance.

On this page:

• Our expertise with offences related to indecent images of children and extreme pornography
• What to do if you are accused of an offence involving indecent images or extreme pornography
• What defence is there against charges relating to indecent or extreme pornography?

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Our expertise with offences related to indecent images of children and extreme pornography

With decades of specialist experience defending clients against charges related to the production, making, possession and distribution of indecent images, we have a detailed understanding of the law in this area and all available defence options.

In addition to guiding you through the general process of defending you against indecent images allegations, our solicitors for indecent images will also take the necessary steps to ensure that your rights are protected, the alleged indecent images are correctly and accurately categorised, medical reports (including psychological evaluations) are collated and that the potential impact of a charge would have on you and your family.

We work with some of the UK’s top criminal defence barristers specialising in indecent images offences, so if your case does go to trial, we can make sure you have expert support for every stage of proceedings.

We work with leading providers within the digital forensics industry, primarily specialising in criminal defence investigations. With a comprehensive range of proven digital forensic capabilities that include mobile phone forensics, computer forensics and cell site analysis.

Most cases of this type result from the discovery of indecent pictures or images of children on a computer. There are many reasons why pictures of this type may come to be on a computer unintentionally. Often the origins of Indecent Imagery (IIC) found via computer forensics are not fully investigated by the prosecution, which may result in a person being wrongly accused or worse, convicted.

We instruct experts on a vast range of investigations. We can work with experts such as Cyfor, an agency, to build your defence.

What to do if you are accused of an offence involving indecent images or extreme pornography

If you are taken into questioning by the police, the interview stage will typically address a number of issues. This may include investigating whether you have visited specific sites and whether you had a sexual interest. At this stage, issues such as whether the internet is secured, whether any other person has been given access to the internet or devices and whether a device is second-hand will also be addressed.

To avoid the risk of saying or doing anything that could undermine your defence, it is essential to be aware of your rights when interviewed by police in connection with indecent images, child images or extreme pornography. This is something our expert solicitors will be able to advise you on.

If you are interviewed under caution for an indecent image offence, you may be subsequently released on pre-charge bail. Pre-charge bail (often referred to as being released on bail) may be granted in cases where the police require more time to complete their investigation or gather further evidence.

If you are released on pre-charge bail, you will usually be subject to various bail conditions, such as not being able to visit certain places, contact certain people and/or being required to attend the police station on a certain day.

To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail, please use the links provided below:

• Pre-charge bail and Released Under Investigation (RUI)
• On Bail But Not Charged - What Does It Mean?
• How long can you be on bail without charge UK?

What defence is there against charges relating to indecent or extreme pornography?

There can be various potential defences if you are accused of downloading indecent images that your defence team can explore. Indecent images defences can include:

Legitimate reason

This defence is made out if the defendant proves they had a ‘legitimate reason’ for possessing the material. e.g. for the purposes of academic research. The central question on this matter is whether the defendant was essentially a person with an ‘unhealthy’ interest in indecent images, acting under the pretence of undertaking research, or was a genuine researcher who had no alternative but to have the material in their possession.

Lack of awareness

This defence is made out if the defendant proves that they had a ‘lack of awareness’ of the images, i.e. they had not seen them and had no reason to suspect that they were indecent. This applies if an absence of knowledge and a cause to suspect is proved in respect of either the indecency of a photograph or the fact that its subject matter is a child.

Marriage and other relationships

An additional defence that can be put forward relates to marriage and other relationships. The core requirements of this are that the photograph was of a child aged 16 or 17 and, at the time of the conduct in question, the defendant and the child were married or civil partners and lived together in an ‘enduring family relationship’.

Our defence solicitors are highly experienced with the available defences for indecent images offences, so they can ensure every possible angle of defence is explored to help you avoid charges or secure the best available outcome during a prosecution.