§2259A Assessments in Child Pornography Cases

Summary

The court must add an extra monetary assessment on top of any other punishment for child pornography crimes: up to $17,000 for convictions under 2252(a)(4) or 2252A(a)(5); up to $35,000 for other trafficking convictions; and up to $50,000 for production convictions. Those dollar amounts are adjusted every year using the Consumer Price Index. The court must consider the factors listed in sections 3553(a) and 3572 when choosing the amount. Other federal rules about fines apply, but the assessment does not reduce other penalties. Money paid by the defendant must be used in this order: the special assessment under section 3013; restitution to victims of any child pornography production or trafficking the defendant committed; this assessment; other court-ordered payments under any other section of this title; and then all other fines, penalties, costs, and payments.