Houston Child Pornography Lawyer

Houston Computer and Internet Child Pornography Crimes Attorney—Nearly 20 Years of Experience in Criminal Law

State and federal authorities devote substantial resources investigating individuals suspected of child pornography and other Internet crimes. Computer specialists and Internet experts are used to tracking suspicious Internet activity. If you believe you are suspected of child pornography, do not delay. Law enforcement is likely preparing damaging evidence against you.

When the stakes are high, entrust the Hochglaube & DeBorde Law Firm to mount an aggressive defense strategy. Attorney Nicole DeBorde has nearly 20 years of experience in criminal law. She was a district attorney in Harris County for eight years before focusing exclusively on criminal defense. 

As a skilled child pornography lawyer in Houston, Ms. DeBorde offers the skills and tenacity to exploit any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you. A child pornography conviction could change your life forever. Position yourself with an experienced criminal defense attorney prepared to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations against you. 

Contact our Houston law firm today online or at (832) 720-7255 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Understanding Child Pornography Laws in Texas

Texas law regarding "visual material depicting a child engaging in sexual conduct" underwent a massive transformation in late 2025. Under Texas Penal Code § 43.26, the state now utilizes a tiered system where the severity of the charge is primarily driven by the quantity of depictions and the nature of the material. 

As your child pornography attorney in Houston, we provide a defense tailored to these specific statutes:

Possession of Child Pornography

It is a crime to knowingly or intentionally possess, or even just access with intent to view, material that depicts a child under 18 in sexual conduct. You do not need to "own" or download the file; simply viewing it on a website can trigger a charge. The law now covers:

• Real Depictions: Photos or videos of actual children.
• Computer-Generated/AI Material: As of September 1, 2025, the law explicitly includes AI-generated deepfakes or digitally created images that are virtually indistinguishable from a real child.

Promotion of Child Pornography

"Promotion" involves distributing, selling, or sharing the material. Crucially, the law also allows the state to charge "Possession with Intent to Promote" if they find evidence that you intended to share the files, even if you never actually did. This is a significantly more serious felony than simple possession.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences in Texas

The legislative changes created a harsh "tier" system for sentencing. The stakes for a Houston child pornography lawyer to mitigate these charges have never been higher.

Possession of Real Child Depictions

• Fewer than 10 images: Third-Degree Felony (2 to 10 years in prison).
• 10 to 49 images: Second-Degree Felony (2 to 20 years in prison).
• 50+ images or any video of sexual assault: First-Degree Felony (5 to 99 years or life).

Promotion or Intent to Promote

• Base Offense: Second-Degree Felony (2 to 20 years).
• 10 to 49 images or child under 10: First-Degree Felony (5 to 99 years).
• 50+ images: First-Degree Felony with a 15-year mandatory minimum.

Collateral Consequences

A conviction for any offense under § 43.26 requires lifetime sex offender registration. This means your name, address, and photo will be searchable by the public forever. Additionally, you will face:

• Strict Internet Monitoring: Many probation terms include software that monitors every keystroke you make.
• Employment Bans: You will be effectively barred from any job that requires a background check or involves proximity to minors.
• Travel Restrictions: You may be required to notify local law enforcement of any travel, even within the state.

Offering an Aggressive Defense Strategy

As a former district attorney, Ms. DeBorde has prosecuted individuals suspected of child pornography and other serious Internet crimes. Her firsthand understanding of the charges against you helps Ms. DeBorde prepare an uncompromising defense strategy. 

As an experienced Internet Crime Lawyer, she knows the right steps to take to stay ahead of the prosecution and uncover any inconsistencies in the evidence obtained against you.

Attorney DeBorde offers an aggressive defense strategy focused on preserving your civil rights. She is known to consult computer experts and Internet specialists to understand when suspicious activity occurred on your computer. If a hacker or someone else in your household conducted illegal activities using your computer, she will fight for an acquittal or reduction of serious charges, including:

• Possession of child pornography
• Solicitation of a minor
• Distribution of child pornography
• Internet exploitation of a child

Part of our focus includes investigating the search warrant terms. If law enforcement failed to obtain a search warrant or acted outside of the search warrant’s terms, we will fight for the charges to be dismissed. Attorney DeBorde in Houston will scrutinize every detail possible to develop a strong defense strategy and mitigate any potential damages.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with a Child Pornography Lawyer in Houston

When your life is being scrutinized through a digital lens, you need a child pornography attorney in Houston who understands both the law and the technology. At Hochglaube & DeBorde, PC, our history as former prosecutors means we don't blink in the face of aggressive government tactics. We know that these cases are often built on circumstantial evidence and technical assumptions. 

We are dedicated to humanizing our clients and ensuring that a single mistake or a technical anomaly does not result in a lifetime of registration and prison. Our firm provides the discreet, powerhouse defense necessary to navigate the most serious digital allegations in Texas.

If you have been charged with possession or distribution of Internet child pornography, contact us online or call (832) 720-7255. We offer a free initial consultation from our law office in Houston, Texas. Se habla español.