Attorney James R. Snell, Jr. of the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC in Lexington, South Carolina, was recently quoted by The Post and Courier in a statewide article discussing Internet Crimes Against Children cases and the political debate surrounding how these cases are prosecuted in South Carolina. This article was in response to criticism lodged by Nancy Mace against South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.
In the article, Mr. Snell addressed how changes in technology have led to an increase in the number of people charged with crimes such as sexual exploitation of a minor. He stated, “In today's sort of environment, you have a much larger group of people being prosecuted. In that, there absolutely is going to be this percentage that would fit that expectation of somebody that actually presents a real risk to children in the real world.” This is based on his experience defending clients with these charges. While there are certainly individuals who may pose a real danger to children, there is also a much larger group of defendants who do not. Many of these cases involve people charged with possessing or viewing illegal content who, while they may have engaged in inappropriate or unlawful online behavior, do not present a physical danger to minors in their communities.
Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) cases are among the most complex criminal defense matters in South Carolina. These investigations often involve highly technical computer forensics, overlapping federal and state jurisdictions, and significant public stigma. The widespread use of smartphones, home internet connections, and easily accessible online content has created a dramatically larger pool of individuals who find themselves facing charges related to sexual exploitation of a minor. For those accused, understanding the difference between allegations of hands-on abuse and those involving passive conduct or online behavior is essential in building a proper defense.
The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC represents clients throughout South Carolina including Lexington, Columbia, and Charleston, SC, in cases involving sexual exploitation of a minor, child pornography, or any Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. The firm works to ensure that every case is evaluated based on the actual evidence and circumstances rather than public perception or political pressure.
Every case is unique, and prior results obtained by the attorney in one matter do not indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients in other matters. For immediate help, call (803) 359-3301. Same-day appointments are typically available.