Prosecutors are increasingly targeting adolescents for “sexting” – sending naked or sexually suggestive pictures of themselves with cell phones or posting them on the Internet. These “sexting” teens can face charges of possessing or distributing child pornography.
While no one wants to see their teenager “sexting” – these images can negatively impact a teen for years to come – prosecuting adolescents under child porn laws isn’t the answer. However, although several judges have barred prosecutors from pursuing these charges, your child’s reputation could be harmed by any involvement in this type of investigation. If your teenager is involved in a “sexting” investigation in any way, it’s important to consult with an experienced lawyer.
California child pornography charges carry extraordinarily harsh repercussions that can include incarceration and lifetime sex offender registration. Even a teenager convicted of child porn for relatively harmless “sexting” could face this punishment, so it’s critical to fight aggressively for your teenager’s rights.
Teenagers with access to technology are naturally going to push the boundaries, and adolescents are bound to experiment. Even teens who send a photo to only one other recipient with no intention of distributing the image more widely have been targeted by “sexting” Be sure to educate your teen about the hazards of “sexting” and the dangers of being charged with child pornography.
An attorney who completely understands California’s child pornography laws and the issues surrounding “sexting” is your family’s best protection against overzealous prosecution. For more information about “sexting” and child pornography laws, please contact a skilled criminal lawyer from The Kavinoky Law Firm today at 1-877-4-NO-CUFFS for a free consultation.
