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RSA 649-A:3 · Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Images
649-A:3 Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Images. –
Copy linkBuy, procure, possess, or control any visual representation of a child engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or
Copy linkBring or cause to be brought into this state any visual representation of a child engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Copy linkAn offense under this section shall be a class A felony if such person has had no previous convictions in this state or another jurisdiction for the conduct prohibited by paragraph I. Upon conviction of an offense under this section based on an indictment alleging that the person has been previously convicted of an offense under this section or a reasonably equivalent offense in another jurisdiction, the defendant may be sentenced to a maximum sentence not to exceed 20 years and a minimum sentence not to exceed 1/2 of the maximum sentence.
Copy linkIt shall be an affirmative defense to a charge of violating paragraph I of this section that the defendant:
Copy linkPossessed less than 3 images of any visual depiction proscribed by that paragraph; and
Copy linkPromptly and in good faith, and without retaining or allowing any person, other than a law enforcement agency, to access any visual depiction or copy thereof:
Copy linkReported the matter to a law enforcement agency and afforded that agency access to each such visual depiction. Source. 1983, 448:2. 1991, 27:1. 1998, 361:1. 2008, 323:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
Copy linkSource note
Source. 1983, 448:2. 1991, 27:1. 1998, 361:1. 2008, 323:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.
Source history
- 1983, 448:2
- 1991, 27:1
- 1998, 361:1
- 2008, 323:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009
Related materials
Bill relationships
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2026 HB1458
reference · effective 2027-07-02
prietor including verification of identity through provision of a social security number or tax identification number and no prior convictions under RSA 633, RSA 632-A, RSA 645:2, RSA 649-A or similar laws in other states, as verified by a background check conducted by the department of safety, division of state police and a background check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with all associ
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2026 HB1458-FN
reference · effective 2027-07-02
prietor including verification of identity through provision of a social security number or tax identification number and no prior convictions under RSA 633, RSA 632-A, RSA 645:2, RSA 649-A or similar laws in other states, as verified by a background check conducted by the department of safety, division of state police and a background check conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with all associ
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2026 HB1595
amend · effective 2027-01-01
(j) Incest under RSA 639:2, III or endangering the welfare of a child by solicitation under RSA 639:3, III; (k) Any felonious offense involving child sexual abuse images under RSA 649-A; or (l) Computer pornography and child exploitation under RSA 649-B. 19 Annulment of Criminal Records. Amend RSA 651:5, IX to read as follows: IX.(a) When a petition for annulment is timely brought, the court s
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2026 HB1595-FN
amend · effective 2027-01-01
(j) Incest under RSA 639:2, III or endangering the welfare of a child by solicitation under RSA 639:3, III; (k) Any felonious offense involving child sexual abuse images under RSA 649-A; or (l) Computer pornography and child exploitation under RSA 649-B. 19 Annulment of Criminal Records. Amend RSA 651:5, IX to read as follows: IX.(a) When a petition for annulment is timely brought, the court s
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2025 HB57
reference
) Felony level stalking under RSA 633:3-a, VI(a); (9) Trafficking in persons under RSA 633:7; (10) Robbery under RSA 636:1, III; (11) Possession, manufacture, or distribution of child sexual abuse images under RSA 649-A; (12) Computer pornography and child exploitation under RSA 649-B; (13) Any felony offense that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against a person; or (14) Any felon
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2025 HB75
reference
efined in RSA 570-A:1, XI, or evidence of the commission of the offenses of homicide, kidnapping, gambling, theft as defined in RSA 637, corrupt practices as defined in RSA 640, child sexual abuse images under RSA 649-A, computer pornography and child exploitation under RSA 649-B, criminal conduct in violation of the securities law, as defined in RSA 421-B:5-501, RSA 421-B:5-502, RSA 421-B:5-502-A, RSA 421-B:5-505, RSA 421-B:
Opinions and discipline decisions mentioning this RSA
- 2025 N.H. 43, State v. Rodriguez Supreme Court opinion · September 19, 2025
- 2025 N.H. 9, State v. Huckins Supreme Court opinion · February 12, 2025
- 2024 N.H. 24, State v. Higgins Supreme Court opinion · May 14, 2024
- 2018-0464 The State of New Hampshire v. Timothy Barr Supreme Court opinion · November 22, 2019
- 2017-0280, The State of New Hampshire v. Robert Norman Supreme Court opinion · July 6, 2018
- 2016-0137, The State of New Hampshire v. Jeremy M. Fiske Supreme Court opinion · September 21, 2017
- 2014-0362, State of New Hampshire v. James F. Houghton Supreme Court opinion · October 14, 2015
- 2011-626, State of New Hampshire v. Jonathan Ball Supreme Court opinion · September 28, 2012
- 2010-496, State of New Hampshire v. Jack T. Ward Supreme Court opinion · January 13, 2012
- 2010-455 The State of New Hampshire v. James W. Mello Supreme Court opinion · May 26, 2011
- 2009-234, State of New Hampshire v. Bryan T. Farr Supreme Court opinion · October 19, 2010
- 2009-811, State of New Hampshire v. Steven Merrill Supreme Court opinion · June 30, 2010