Being accused of a sexual crime can have a major impact on your life. Sexting is the act of sending and receiving explicit messages or images via phone or other devices. While sexting itself is a private matter, things can get complicated if a minor is involved. New York laws are particularly strict when it comes to sexting, potentially resulting in permanent criminal record.
If you have been accused of sexting crimes, you may be worried and thinking about how to get out of this situation. In this moment, it is important to understand that having a basic knowledge of the law does not work here. It is important to get legal help and hire a criminal defense attorney in New York. This could potentially impact your entire future and ruin relationships.
Sexting laws are so strict because the act involves sharing of personal and sensitive elements. The bottom line is that sexting charges should not be taken lightly. It can hurt your job opportunities, relationships and even financial stability. To protect your future, consulting with a defense attorney is your best chance at success.
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Understanding the legal consequences of sexting allegations
As technology evolves, new forms of communication are developing. Therefore, it is important to understand the legal consequences of sexting allegations. Sexting is defined as the transferring of sexually explicit images or messages.
The criminal charges of sexting can vary greatly. If you are involved in sexting, you can face serious legal consequences, which include charges related to harassment or child exploitation, especially when minors are involved. If you are a minor and give your consent for sharing or creating pornographic content, it will still be considered illegal.
Penalties and consequences of sexting crimes
The penalties for sexting are very serious and can include criminal charges that may range from misdemeanors to felonies. In some cases, penalties for minors engaging in sexting can result in both criminal and civil charges with fines.
For example, some states have laws that impose less serious penalties on teenagers as compared to adults when they are involved in similar situations, like sharing explicit content. While these laws might be lenient, the consequences for teens can still be very serious and can have a major impact on their lives.
The consequences of sharing explicit content are not limited to penalties. It can also have a great impact on your employment, relationships, and reputation. If you are charged with sexting, you will be considered a sex offender.
This might restrict you from getting new jobs and employment opportunities. Employers perform a background check on their employees during the hiring process. If they discovered such a thing, they might reject your application no matter how qualified you are for the job.
What are the common defenses against sexting allegations?
There are some common defenses you can use against sexting allegations. These are as follows:
1. Consent and age verification.
You must show that everyone involved in the matter gave their consent for sexting and were of a legal age.
2. Lack of intention.
Proving intention is very important. If there was no intention, there would be no crime. For harassment charges, the prosecution must prove that the accused party had the intention to cause damage or harm to the other party through their actions.
If you can prove that your messages were only a friendly way of communicating, it can help you get rid of the charges.
3. Misidentification.
Another defense is showing that you were not the person who sent sexually explicit images or messages. For this, you will need to gather evidence and witnesses that might help you get rid of the charges.
4. Challenging the evidence.
You can challenge that the evidence shown by the prosecution was obtained illegally, such as illegal access to a phone or computer. Such evidence would not be admissible in the court.
Protect your future!
If you are accused of a sexting crime, that can be stressful. Hire a criminal defense attorney today!
