Fairfield Sextortion Lawyer
Connecticut takes allegations of sextortion very seriously. If you are accused, you can face years in jail. But, by working with a knowledgeable Fairfield sextortion lawyer, you could protect your rights and come to a favorable resolution to your case.
How Does The State Address Sextortion Allegations?
Sextortion falls under two Connecticut laws, or “statutes”: Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-189c and C.G.S. § 53a-122(a). A knowledgeable Fairfield sextortion attorney could explain both these offenses in greater detail, explain which one you are charged with, and help you construct a comprehensive defense strategy for your unique circumstances.
C.G.S. §53a-189c addresses the “unlawful dissemination of an intimate image,” an offense which the text of the statute defines as the intentional distribution of a photo or video that clearly depicts someone else in a sexually compromised position or engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Importantly, this act is only a crime if the depicted individual did not consent to the dissemination of the material in question, had a reasonable expectation that material would remain private, and suffered harm as a result of its dissemination without that act providing any benefit to the public interest.
C.G.S. §53a-122(a) defines larceny by extortion as one of several acts that may constitute first-degree larceny. If a person threatens to distribute someone else’s private explicit images unless they receive payment or services in exchange, they would likely face charges under this statute rather than charges under C.G.S. §53a-189c.
What Consequences Could Stem from a Sextortion Conviction?
Of the two statutes that state authorities may prosecute a “sextortion” offense under, C.G.S. §53a-122 is by far the more severe. Larceny committed through extortion of any kind is automatically a class B felony, whether it involves sexually explicit material or not and regardless of the amount of money involved. This means that a conviction under this section of state law could result in a minimum one-year prison sentence and maximum penalties of twenty years in prison plus up to $15,000 in fines.
Comparatively speaking, charges under C.G.S. §53a-189c for distributing intimate images without permission are less serious in nature, as this offense is considered a class A misdemeanor. However, a conviction could still result in sanctions of up to a year in jail and a maximum $2,000 fine, so it still may be important work with a sextortion attorney in Fairfield in order to effectively contest this kind of allegation.
Talk to a Fairfield Sextortion Attorney About Your Legal Options
No matter what circumstances led to your charges, though, getting help from seasoned legal counsel could make a world of difference in how this unfortunate situation ultimately plays out.
Call a Fairfield sextortion lawyer to discuss your unique situation. The Avvo.com 5-star reviewed attorneys at Mark Sherman Law are available to take your call today.