Cell phone use is on the rise with teenagers and unfortunately, this has been a leading factor in the common practice of “sexting”—sending nude photographs or sexually suggestive messages by text. Texas has enacted laws with penalties so make sure you are avoiding this and if you find yourself in trouble, contact our sexual assault lawyer in San Antonio today.
Teen Sexting In Texas
Texas has taken legal measures when it comes to sexting—the state punishes teen sexting under its law against electronically transmitting sexual depictions of children. This law explains how it is illegal for one minor to electrically send an image of someone younger than 18 years old to another minor.
Sexting And The Federal Law
Sexting can be considered a crime under federal law depending on the circumstances. The PROTECT Act of 2003 makes it illegal to produce, distribute, receive, or possess with intent to distribute any obscene visual depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The law criminalizes causing a minor to take part in sexually explicit conduct in order to visually depict the conduct.
Penalties
Sending or receiving a “sext” from other minors is a Class C misdemeanor, with penalties that include a fine of up to $500 and may increase for second and subsequent convictions.
Contact Us
If you are in Texas and find yourself in a legal situation with sexting, make sure you contact our sexual assault lawyer in San Antonio. We can help you navigate the legal consequences and make sure you are represented in your time of need. Our team is prepared to provide tough defense and aggressive representation for our clients, so call us today for a free case evaluation.