Attorney: Dylan W. Greenwood
Charge: Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor x10
Case Result: Not Guilty
District: Davidson County Superior Court
Charges reduced from Class E Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor to Class H Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and successfully advocated for probation
The Situation
After social media sites and messaging services alerted authorities to suspicious activity on our Client’s devices, our Client was charged with ten (10) counts of Second-Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor which would carry a total maximum penalty of 880 months.
Our Approach
Greenwood Law worked with our Client in obtaining the services of a forensic psychologist. The forensic psychologist identified some mental health and psychological issues with our Client. However, what was probably most telling were the results of their comprehension and intellectual acumen metrics. There was not an issue of capacity in this case but there were recorded and quantifiable developmental issues which characterized our Client as having a comprehension level younger than what they were. This is the perfect example of how experts and/or investigators can assist in your case for mitigation purposes and not just guilt or innocence. The State of North Carolina certainly saw the issues we highlighted and combined with their completion of sex offender specific counseling, we were able to secure both a reduction in the charges and keep our Client out of prison. The Client was, however, required to register as a sex offender, as required by law.
The Result
The State of North Carolina reduced the charges to Class H Third Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor charges. Dylan Greenwood then successfully argued for the Client to receive a probationary sentence.