Broward Criminal Lawyers Discuss Sexting

Sexting, sending sexually explicit photos via text message, is a growing problem among Florida teens. The results can be embarrassing to teen girls, but it can also result in criminal charges for both the sender and the recipient.

Under Florida law, the each image is a felony punishable by up to five years behind bars. Both sexes are equally culpable under the law. Sexting is considered a child pornography case, according to a Broward Sheriff’s Office detective. A 2007 Orlando case involving an 18-year-old boy and his 16-year-old girlfriend brought the issue to the attention of Florida law enforcement officials. The boy emailed nude photos of his girlfriend to people out of revenge and is now listed on the state sex-offender registry.

Prosecutors in the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office say that the office is drafting a policy to address sexting, since it has become such a widespread problem. Miami-Dade County schools hopes to have an anti-sexting initiative in place by the time school starts in August.

Sexting: Both sender and receiver can face charges, Sun Sentinel, July 27, 2009
Contact a Broward criminal defense attorney if your child has been involved in a sexting case.