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What teens need to know about Pennsylvania’s sexting laws
This article provides a brief overview of Pennsylvania sexting laws, including potential sentences.
Exploring one’s sexuality is an important part of any person’s teenage years. What many teenagers and, indeed, parents may be surprised to learn is that behavior that seems innocent and healthy to them may be considered a crime under Pennsylvania law. As Law Street Media reports, Pennsylvania is one of a growing number of states that has made teen sexting a criminal offense. Because sexting laws are still a relatively recent addition to juvenile and criminal law, many Pennsylvanians are still unclear about what kind of behavior may be permitted or criminalized under the new laws.
Pennsylvania sexting law
Pennsylvania passed its own sexting laws back in 2012. These sexting laws apply to teenagers aged 12 to 17. They make it a summary offense for somebody in that age range to distribute nude photos of themselves and for another 12 to 17-year-old to possess nude photos of somebody who is also between 12 and 17. Minors who transmit nude photos of other minors or who create or distribute sexually explicit photos of 12- to 17-year-olds in order to harass, bully, or coerce the person depicted in such photos, can also face more serious misdemeanor charges. It’s important to keep in mind that the sexting laws only apply to nude photos and not to more sexually explicit depictions of minors, which would generally be covered by child pornography laws.
At the time Pennsylvania’s sexting law was passed, supporters argued that it would prevent minors from being charged and prosecuted as felons under child pornography laws if they took, possessed, or distributed nude photos of themselves or of other teenage minors. Other supports also argued that sexting could lead to bullying and should thus be penalized. However, as PennLive notes, opponents argued that the law criminalized what was otherwise healthy sexual behavior by teenagers. Many opponents took particular issue with the fact that the law makes criminals out of teenagers who freely and willingly take and distribute nude photos of themselves.
Potential consequences
Although teenagers who are charged with sexting will generally not face felony charges, the consequences of a summary or misdemeanor charge are still serious. Juvenile offenders could face fines and will often be ordered to attend a diversionary program about the dangers of sexting. Typically, their sexting arrest record is expunged if they complete the program. While jail is rare in sexting cases, it is also a possibility.
Legal help
Of course, the legal punishments that teens face when charged with sexting are only one part of the story. The anxiety of being charged with a crime and the humiliation that may ensue given the nature of the offense can both be just as painful for defendants as any sentence handed down by a judge. Teenagers and parents of teenagers who have been charged with sexting should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. An attorney who understands how sexting laws work will be able to offer juvenile defendants qualified advice on how to respond to these charges, which may ultimately help them protect their reputations and their futures.
Criminal Defense
- Your Legal Rights
- Criminal Defense FAQs
- Civil Rights Violations/Police Brutality
- College Crimes
- Drug Crimes
- Drug Crimes FAQs
- When Does Drug Possession Become Drug Trafficking?
- Defenses to Drug Trafficking In Pennsylvania
- Conspiracy To Traffic Drugs
- Cocaine Crimes
- Drug Paraphernalia Charges
- Drug Possession Charges
- Heroin Crimes
- Intent To Deliver Charges
- Marijuana Crimes
- MDMA
- Meth Crimes
- Prescription Drug Crimes
- Fentanyl Drug Crime
- Student Drug Charges
- DUI/DWI/Impaired Driving Crimes
- DUI Basics
- Defending DUI cases
- First-Offense Penalties
- Penalties For Multiple DUI Convictions In Pennsylvania
- Driving Under The Influence Of Marijuana
- Driving Under The Influence Of Prescription Drugs
- Aggravated Assault While DUI
- Vehicular Homicide Via DUI
- Leaving The Scene Of An Accident
- State Of DUI Law After Birchfield
- Federal Crimes
- Computer And Internet Fraud
- Federal Drug Trafficking
- Federal Sex Offenses
- Federal Conspiracy
- White collar crimes
- Arrest, Indictment And Arraignment
- Gun Possession And Federal Drug Crimes
- Federal Tax Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Insider Trading
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- Federal Government Investigations
- Federal Crimes FAQs
- Federal Crimes Versus State Crimes
- Felony Charges
- Juvenile Crimes
- Pennsylvania Criminal Law Information
- Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.)
- Arrest Warrants
- Chester County Common Pleas Judges
- Chester County District Justices
- Federal Grand Jury
- Helpful Links
- Indicting Grand Juries
- Mandatory Sentencing Laws
- Montgomery County District Justices
- Pennsylvania Courts
- Preliminary Hearings
- Preliminary Arraignment
- Post-Conviction Related Issues
- Professional License Defense
- Representation Of Public Officials & Grand Jury Investigations
- Sex Crimes
- Sex Crimes FAQs
- What Constitutes A Sexual Offense?
- When Should I Call A Lawyer For A Sex Crime
- How To Avoid Conviction For A Sex Crime
- Sexual Assault
- Statutory Sexual Assault
- Indecent Assault
- Title IX Sexual Assault Defense
- Aggravated Indecent Assault
- Rape
- Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI)
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution
- Internet Sex Crimes
- Child Pornography
- False Allegations Of Child Sex Abuse
- Sex Crimes Against Minors
- Solicitation Of A Minor
- Corruption Of Minors
- Child Endangerment
- Children Youth And Families Investigations (CYS Investigations)
- Megan’s Law
- Statutory Rape
- Sex Crimes Involving Teachers
- Sex Crimes Trials
- Sexually Violent Predator Hearings
- Theft Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Aggravated Assault Of An Unborn Child
- Pennsylvania Law On Self-Defense
- Domestic Violence Charges
- Protection from Abuse (PFA)
- Restraining Order Violations
- Murder
- What’s The Difference Between First- And Second-Degree Murder?
- First-Degree Murder
- Second-Degree Murder
- Third-Degree Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Manslaughter
- Terroristic Threats
- Weapons & Firearm Charges
- Kidnapping
- Communities Served
Civil Litigation
Personal Injury
- Personal Injury FAQs
- Auto Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Car Accidents Involving Uninsured Drivers
- Drunk Driving Accidents/Dram Shop Liability
- Hit-And-Runs
- Medical Malpractice
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
- Slip-And-Fall Injuries
- Texting and Distracted Drivers
- Victims Of Crimes
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What Are Crime Victim Rights in Pennsylvania
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Victims of Crime
- Victims Of Crimes FAQs
- What is the Crime Victims Compensation Fund/Program?
- How Does Crime Victims Compensation Work in Pennsylvania?
- Civil Claims For Crime Victims
- Can I Sue For Sexual Assault or Rape in Pennsylvania?
- Sex Assault Victims
- Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse
- Victims Of Day Care And Foster Care Mistreatment
- Victims Of School Bullying
- Victims Of Title IX Sexual Assault
- Can I Sue My Employer For Being Assaulted at Work?
- Workplace Violence
- Victims Of Crime Due To Negligent Security
Professional License Defense
Communities Served