Law May Change for Juveniles Caught "Sexting"

A new bill in the Senate would change current laws for juveniles who are caught sending sexually explicit pictures on their cell phones.

Sponsored by Assemblywomen Pamela Lampitt, Valerie Vainieri Huttle and Celeste Riley, the bill would prevent juveniles from being prosecuted for these crimes, but to rather subject them to intense education about them. The bill has already passed the full Assembly (78-0) and the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee this week. It will now go before the full Senate before it can be fully approved.

Also known as measure A-1561, "sexting" would be placed under a category other than juvenile crimes if committed by a juvenile. This increasing problem has perplexed parents, law enforcement officials and school administrators, who see sexting as a serious epidemic in schools across the country. In some states, prosecutors have gone so far as to charge these youth with distribution of child pornography, which can be a felony offense.

If your child has been charged with asex crime, contact our law office to enlist the help of an understanding Orange County criminal defense attorney.