So scared..

He might not go to jail, but he may end up on a sex offenders database if he is convicted though. It really depends on what kind of illegal porn he got caught with. If he got caught with child pornography or snuff films (for example) the law doesn't really tread lightly when it comes to that kind of stuff...

 

The only illegal porn I know of are child pornography, which is extremely serious, or porn that depicts a situation where it would be considered aggravated assault and/or extremely violent, which may be just a fine.

 

Well that is completely different. In that case I have no idea, I've never heard of anyone actually getting raided for piracy before - I mean, I've heard about it, but I've never known anyone that it's actually happened to before.

If that's the case, I'd honestly expect a slap on the wrist if he has no priors, or at most a really obnoxious fine/probation. Piracy is not a violent crime, while child pornography or snuff films suggest the intent to commit violent crime. Piracy is a horse of a different color. So I wouldn't freak out about your beau going to jail just yet if his charge is illegal downloading and not illegal pornography.

 

If it's a DMCA issue, I think expect to pay a large sum of money? Depends on how greedy they are.

 

Well, then that's really an offense against copyright law instead of a sexual crime. Nothing to be happy about, but I highly doubt it's something anyone will have to do jailtime over. You're not exactly a danger to society for illegal downloading.

However, a hefty fine can be expected. They might be keeping his computer. And I know that in some cases (though probably not on first offense) they can actually ban you from having an internet connection.

I am not a lawyer, though. And your boyfriend might want to contact one just to be sure. It's never bad to know your options.

 

I highly suggest you contact a lawyer. They are expensive, but they're worth it for the piece of mind if nothing else. The law is very convoluted and it helps to have someone in your corner who knows what the hell they're doing. And you can probably find one that will work out a payment plan with you if you can't pay a lump sum for representation.

 

Stop worrying. You'll see him again. This is not a criminal offense, it's a civil offense (I believe). Unless he was distributing a ton of it (hosting a site or something?), which, I would expect that is why he was raided, since, for downloading they don't normally do that), he shouldn't be going to jail. The companies can sue him, and he might have to pay a huge amount of money, but I don't think he'd go to jail for that. And I don't think he'd be kept in prison or anything while the trial goes on if he is sued.

 

(*hug*) I know nothing about this stuff, but I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Get some legal advice. If all he did was download it then usually all they can ask for is the amount it would have cost to buy it..... but they usually ask for hundreds or thousands of times that amount. Legal advice it potentially well worth the cost.

 

Thanks for this Chip, I kind of suspected this was the case but didn't want to say so because I didn't know for sure (about the police raiding for child porn rather than copyright infringement).

Usually with copyright infringement, as far as I know, they'd send a "cease and desist" letter before they'd ever do a police raid.

 

I know you want to believe your bf but my gut is telling me that some how the authorities have or believe to have knowledge that he had child porn on his computer. As stated above, illegal downloading is a civil matter. If I was him I would get a lawyer. You may want to make sure he has not used your computer or laptop, especially if he is under any restrictions as a condition on his house arrest.

 

I'll add to the chorus that your BF needs to get legal counsel if he doesn't already have it.

>>>If he does go I don't want him to change.

Meaning what?

Lex

 

All signs point to him dealing with pornography of a very illegal sort. Is that something you'd change?

Lex

 

You have gotten some pretty excellent advice so I can't add anything, but just making sure that anyone reading this keeps in mind this part from Chip's post.

This is actually a very serious and real thing! Just wanting to make sure people were aware.