Wilton Sexting Lawyer
Connecticut state law criminalizes the act of “sexting”—exchanging sexually explicit photos or videos—between minors. A seasoned Wilton sexting lawyer could work tenaciously to help you protect your teens future.
When Is Sexting a Criminal Offense?
In addition to various statutes defining the possession of child pornography by adult as a serious felony offense, Connecticut state law defines “possessing or transmitting child pornography by minor” as a distinct criminal offense. This means that those under the age of 18 cannot knowingly possess child porn, even if it’s a nude photo of their boyfriend or girlfriend.
According to Connecticut General Statutes §53a-196h, a person under the age of 18 commits this offense when they knowingly possess any “visual depiction of child pornography” sent to them willingly via an electronic communication device by the child depicted in that material, or if they knowingly send a sexually explicit image or video of themselves to another person under 18.
What Are The Consequences of a Sexting Conviction?
C.G.S. §53a-196h classifies both the possession and transmission of child pornography by a minor as a class A misdemeanor offense. If an adult faced charges for an offense of equal severity, a criminal court might sentence them to a maximum of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine upon conviction.
Will My Child’s Sexting Case Be Heard in Juvenile Court?
Fortunately, “sexting” charges against minors very rarely progress to adult criminal court, as the purpose of this law is to protect teenagers from making unwise decisions that come back to haunt them in the future. Instead, a person under 18 charged with violating C.G.S. §53a-196h usually has their case heard through the juvenile court system, where an “adjudication” of guilt could result in much less severe penalties like warnings, fines, and short periods of probation.
In extreme situations, though, juvenile courts do have the right to order detainment in a juvenile detention facility for up to 18 months, and multiple adjudications against a minor could do an immense amount of harm to their future personal and professional prospects. In light of that, it is still often worthwhile to retain a skilled lawyer when dealing with sexting charges in Wilton.
Talk to a Wilton Sexting Attorney About Legal Options
While state law distinguishes between adults possessing child pornography and teenagers sharing intimate images with each other, both actions are still criminal offenses that could have serious consequences for individuals charged with them. Call a qualified Wilton sexting lawyer to help you build a strong defense strategy for you, your child, and your entire family. You can read our hundreds of 5-star certified client reviews by following this link. Call today at (203) 358-4700.