In cases in which those accused of serious crimes face mounting evidence, a meaningful strategic plan may be used as a way to obtain a lesser punishment. Sometimes, it may be to the defendant’s advantage to plead guilty to an offense if he or she is offered a plea agreement that will reduce the possible penalties associated with the offense. Recently, a Milwaukee man pled guilty to Internet crime charges in court.
Police say that the man is a former sheriff’s sergeant for Milwaukee County. He pleaded guilty to federal charges of producing child pornography. The man, also a former spokesperson for the sheriff’s department, allegedly took pornographic pictures of adolescent girls and distributed the pictures through an online file-sharing network. According to police, the man took the photographs of the girls at a youth camp.
If an individual is convicted of an Internet sex crime, they could face lifelong consequences that include being placed on the sex offender registry. They may also face time behind bars.
While it was not disclosed whether the former sheriff’s sergeant received a plea agreement, many defendants seek a reduction of penalties in exchange for a guilty plea. When accused of an Internet crime, such as the offense described above, it is important that a defendant understands their legal options in order to minimize the potential consequences.
For those facing serious criminal charges, it is often best to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney. An attorney has a broad understanding of the criminal justice system. Using their knowledge and expertise, they can determine what the best course of action is for the accused.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Ex-sergeant pleads guilty to producing child pornEx-sergeant pleads guilty to producing child porn” Sept. 21, 2012