Indecent images investigations affect family, careers & mental health

An indecent images case can bring major stress to the person who it targets, especially if he or she has never been in trouble with police before.

Police involvement is often a new and unpleasant experience. People feel like they are being marked out by police as guilty from the very start, even if they've done nothing wrong.

There is often an effect on family members, especially if social services have become involved, and professionals in the situation can seem uncaring about the effects of the investigation.

People can be afraid of damage to their careers, about local news, or even about the possibility of prison. Not knowing what to expect next can make the situation feel even worse.

An indecent images allegation can badly affect a person's mental health, and people don't always realise how much they are suffering. They also often try to protect family members by not telling them about the problem, and suffering in silence. Even if it's for noble reasons, secrecy isn't a good idea.

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Embarrassment and inexperience makes the process harder

Indecent images solicitors know that these cases are made more difficult because of the stigma which surrounds them. Just the police being involved can result in an undeserved sense of shame.

Social services and police sometimes take an overly aggressive approach in order to avoid criticism. Parental access to children is sometimes restricted, which can harm their development.

People in this situation can also be vulnerable or suggestible because of their inexperience. They may be naive with police, who they may think are there to help them.

Even police and prosecutors often don't understand the technical evidence or the law. Non-specialist indecent images lawyers are often not much better.

After the police become involved, the shock and embarrassment can make people feel isolated, stressed, or just too overwhelmed to take steps to get legal help.

In some cases a person can start to become fatalistic and imagine the worst, even if this is not how things usually end up.

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Don't despair - Having decent lawyers improves your chances.

Being involved in an indecent images case doesn't mean you have to feel beaten. Having a firm of specialist indecent images solicitors can make things considerably better.

It's important to understand that not every case inevitably goes to court. Indecent images solicitors are used to pressuring police and the CPS to consider the case being discontinued, especially in low level cases.

Even if a case goes to court, it's not a foregone conclusion that a person will be found guilty. Experienced indecent images solicitors will analyse the evidence and tell you if you have a case. If they expose weaknesses in the prosecution case, they may be able to persuade them to drop it before it reaches trial. If not, a good indecent images solicitor may help you get a not guilty verdict.

Prison is not inevitable, even if you plead guilty. Even if there are serious images or distribution, if indecent images solicitors can show there have been mental health issues, the court may be lenient.

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Our indecent images lawyers can help turn the situation around

From the first meeting with one of our indecent images solicitors, you'll be aware that we're true specialists. We've acted in hundreds of these cases, and we get results.

We don't accept the evidence against you unless you tell us. We don't give an inch to the other side unless we have to. If you want to fight the case, we get the full evidence, and then we go to work. This means analysis by a computer forensic expert, and forcing the prosecution to try to prove its case. We brief barristers to work with our own indecent images solicitors and we fight in court to clear your name.

Our job is to defend you but also to support you throughout. A case like this is tough on anybody facing it. Our indecent images solicitors help you keep the right perspective.

If you've already admitted offences, we build a strong mitigation case. We're experts at showing courts how compulsive behaviours involving computers can actually be a form of self-harm. This understanding keeps people out of jail.

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Actionable steps you can take right now to improve things

• Get a specialist indecent images solicitor on your side. These cases are not general criminal law. You need someone experienced helping you.

• Call us and speak to one of our indecent images solicitors with no-obligation. We can advise you on your options so you know what steps you need to take.

• If you're feeling stressed or suffering from anxiety, see your GP. You don't need to tell them all the details, just that you have a legal problem.

• Don't make the mistake of thinking that you don't need a lawyer, or that it will make you look guilty if you have one. Most people who care about what happens in their case choose to have a lawyer.

• Don't discuss the case with the police except through your lawyers.

• Don't despair. Even if things appear bleak, your life is not over. You will get through this.

• Don't suffer alone. Confide in a trusted friend or family member so you have someone to talk to.

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