PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Texas Teens and Sexting: The Legal Consequences

Sexting, or sending sexually provocative pictures via text or e-mail, can lead to severe legal consequences in Texas.

2012-08-04
August 04, 2012 (Press-News.org) The use of text messages among Americans, particularly teens, has skyrocketed over the last few years. In 2008, a Nielsen survey found that the average cellphone user sent and received over 350 text messages per month, a huge jump compared to the average of 65 messages a month reported in 2006.

The large increase highlights the role texting plays in the average American's social life. With the development of smartphones, the use of technology to communicate has shifted even further, now including a growing reliance on the ability to send pictures.

Teenagers are using this mode of communication as "a new form of finding friends and flirting." Some teens even take what they may consider the private nature of this mode of communication a step too far, asking for and sending sexually provocative pictures.

"Sexting," the act of sending naked or otherwise provocative photos to another via text or electronic message, is receiving media attention not only for the social repercussions that can range from embarrassment to bullying, but also for the legal implications tied to sending and receiving pictures of those under the age of 18.

These legal ramifications can lead to sex crime charges, including child pornography.

A recent study by scientists with the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston polled almost 1,000 high school students from seven public high schools in Texas. The researchers found almost one third of polled students were involved in sexting by either sending or receiving provocative pictures.

Although the high rate of teenage involvement in sending sexually explicit photographs by electronic means is concerning, another study highlights a potentially more disturbing trend. Most participants stated that they were bothered by the request to send a sexually explicit image, but, according to a study released in the Archives of Sexual Behavior, over a third of high school students who participate in this behavior do so regardless of knowing the potential legal implications.

Study Details

The Archives of Sexual Behavior study polled almost 1,000 high school students in Texas, with a fairly even representation of freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors. The study was completed by passing out questionnaires to the students during class time. Parents were made aware of the study weeks before and could opt their children out of participation. Students could also choose not to take part. Even with these options, a very high rate of students partook in the poll.

The survey included questions about cellphone ownership; whether sending sexually explicit pictures was right or wrong; and whether the student had been asked to send, or had sent, such pictures.

The questionnaire also included an open-ended question regarding legal consequences asking whether the students believed there were any legal consequences tied to sexting. Just over a quarter of the students chose to respond to this particular question with 58 percent stating that they believed there were severe consequences tied to sexting.

The research also found that these same students were not deterred by these potential legal consequences; in fact they stated the consequences made them "significantly more likely" to have participated in sexting.

Legal Repercussions Associated With Sexting

This reaction by teenagers was thought by some researchers to be the students' way of fighting the system. The scientists believed the students felt society had changed and the law simply wasn't keeping up. As a result, they were more likely to engage in sexting in the hopes of changing the law.

The shift in what may be considered "normal teen conduct" has made for some difficult dilemmas for prosecutors and enforcement officers across Texas. Although most students agreed that forwarding sexts to third parties is improper, professionals within the legal and law enforcement fields began voicing concerns about the severity of legal implications tied to these acts.

Forwarding a naked picture of an individual who is under the age of 18 can qualify as possessing or trafficking child pornography. These charges, often felonies, could lead to criminal prosecution, felony convictions carrying hefty prison sentences and the lifelong requirement to register as a sex offender -- penalties that seem far too severe for a youthful mistake.

In consideration of this dilemma, in 2011 the Texas Legislature passed and Gov. Rick Perry signed Senate Bill 407. This law prohibits minors from "intentionally promoting or possessing text messages that contain explicit images of those 18 and younger," but punishes offenders with misdemeanor, instead of felony, charges.

In order to ensure the minor offender understands the seriousness of the charge, he or she is still required to appear in court and attend court-mandated educational courses on the lifelong consequences of sexting. The alleged offender's parents are also required to make a court appearance.

In addition, charges may be increased if the offender is found to have used the explicit images to "harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass or offend another."

Even with the protections available under Senate Bill 407, additional defenses may apply. If a couple is within two years of each other and in a relationship, the Romeo-and-Juliet affirmative defense may protect the individual charged with the violation. Exemptions can also apply if the message was not solicited and when received was promptly deleted or if the message was confiscated by law enforcement officials or school administrators and handled in accordance with the law.

Although the law around sexting is evolving, one thing is clear: a significant number of high school students are both sending and receiving sexually explicit messages. If you or a loved one faces one of the many legal consequences tied to sexting, it is important to seek the counsel of an experienced sex crimes attorney. This professional will be able to discuss your unique situation and help you better understand your legal rights.

Article provided by Patrick L. Hancock
Visit us at www.hancockcriminaldefense.com


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Social Security Administration Issues New Fibromyalgia Disability Ruling

2012-08-04
Fibromyalgia is a common, long-term illness marked by body pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. Fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression and anxiety may also be signs of fibromyalgia. The symptoms of fibromyalgia vary in severity over time, and may even be completely absent some days. Social Security Disability benefits are reserved for those suffering from conditions so severe that they are rendered unable to work. But, given that the symptoms of fibromyalgia can range from mild to severe, it is not always easy to determine ...

Federal Government Bans Bath Salts, Fake Pot

2012-08-04
For years, anyone with an Internet connection has been able to go online and order "legal alternatives" to illicit drugs. Though these products are often marketed as safe, many are actually much more dangerous than the drugs they aim to replace. Take, for example, the synthetic drug known as "bath salts." The drug, which users can eat, smoke or inject, is designed to mimic the effects of stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine. Until recently, bath salts were legal, despite the fact that they were known to cause a number of dangerous side effects, ...

Investors Beware: IRS Continues to Crack Down on Foreign Accounts

2012-08-04
With government coffers suffering in a sputtering economy, the U.S. government continues its fight to collect more of the taxes owed. Estimates suggest that the Internal Revenue Service loses as much as $385 billion to tax evasion each year. One of the main fronts where the IRS is waging war is in the fight to collect taxes owed on deposits held in foreign accounts. Unfortunately, such attempts can subject honest taxpaying citizens who hold foreign accounts to serious penalties. For example, many taxpayers may not realize they must report a foreign account they received ...

An Inheritance May Not Be Helpful When Filing for Bankruptcy

2012-08-04
If you are having financial problems, finding out that you will be receiving an inheritance can be a welcome piece of news. However, if you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy around the time you receive this information, you may have to rethink your plans. How an Inheritance Can Affect Bankruptcy An inheritance can affect your bankruptcy depending upon what type of filing you use. If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is designed to wipe out your debts, the trustee of your bankruptcy case may use your inheritance to pay your creditors if you receive the ...

Defamation and the Internet: a Thorn in the Side of Businesses

2012-08-04
The Internet is a wonderful research tool for finding reviews about businesses. For instance, a person looking for a new mechanic can research online to see what former customers have to say about the service they received. A growing number of websites cater specifically to people wanting to read and write reviews of businesses. Most businesses would love to receive only positive reviews, but a negative review is likely inevitable. Yet, businesses and business owners should not have to deal with one category of reviews: the patently false review. When untruthful reviews ...

Been In a Car Accident? Know the Essential Next Steps

2012-08-04
A car accident can be a traumatic event. Many motorists are unsure about what they need to do after being involved in a crash. However, a clear understanding of the right moves in the wake of an accident can save you a lot of trouble and protect your ability to recover compensation from an at-fault party. Call the Police, Gather Information, Watch What You Say At the most basic level, immediate medical emergencies need to be addressed first when there's an accident. If someone is seriously hurt, call an ambulance. Even if there are no apparent life threatening ...

Win Gold with Sky Poker This Summer!

2012-08-04
With the Summer Games upon us, many people are enjoying the sporting and competitive spirit that is sweeping the nation. Sky Poker also love competition, and have a series of promotions designed to up the stakes for all of their poker tournaments this summer! So if you didn't manage to get tickets to the cycling, swimming, or 100 meters final, cheer yourself up by playing poker online during happy hour! To help give players an additional boost on the Cash for Points ladder, Sky Poker run three separate happy hours every day of the week. They are between the hours ...

Seasonal, Local Pawpaw Spa Facial, Dishes, Cocktails Featured at Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

Seasonal, Local Pawpaw Spa Facial, Dishes, Cocktails Featured at Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls
2012-08-04
Available mid-September through mid October, the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls in Ohio's spectacular Hocking Hills region will reprise its popular Pawpaw Spa Facial, along with a special pawpaw menu and pawpaw-infused cocktails. The offerings debuted to rave reviews in 2010 and are back again in 2012, being made available as soon as the local wild fruits become ripe and ready to pick. Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls Spa Director, Randall Wellman LMT, MS, studied the homegrown wild pawpaw and its innate ability to soften and moisturize the skin and provide a natural anti-wrinkle ...

Energetix Corporation Hires Dr. Iris Chen as Traditional Chinese Medicine Product Manager

Energetix Corporation Hires Dr. Iris Chen as Traditional Chinese Medicine Product Manager
2012-08-04
Energetix Corporation, a life sciences company, is pleased to announce the recent hire of Dr. Iris Chen, who will join the Energetix team as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Product Manager. Within this role, Dr. Chen will direct Energetix' TCM research and development as well as its TCM educational efforts. Dr. Chen comes to Energetix with 30 years of medical experience. After graduating top in her class at the Beijing University Medical School, Dr. Chen did her residency at the People's Hospital of Beijing University. Dr. Chen also earned a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences ...

Fleets Realizing Savings Through Logistics Consulting Services

2012-08-04
As supply chain costs continue to rise for line items like tires, vehicles, and labor, fleet owners are pressed daily to root out new hidden inefficiencies in every aspect of their businesses. Getting professional advice from a logistics consulting provider and implementing the recommendations can reduce fleet expenses by 10% to 25%, said David Beaudry, Director of Logistics Engineering and Consulting for AmeriQuest Transportation Services in a blog posting. "Logistics consulting was once a service available only to the largest fleets," Beaudry explained. "Now ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Large herbivores have lived in Yellowstone National Park for more than 2,000 years

Antarctic penguin colonies can be identified and tracked from tourists' photos, using a computer model to reconstruct the 3D scene

For patients with alcohol use disorder, exercise not only reduces alcohol dependence, but also improves mental and physical health, per systematic review

Bones from Tudor Mary Rose shipwreck suggest handedness might affect collarbone chemistry

Farewell frost! New surface prevents frost without heat

Similarities in brain development between marmosets and humans

Can we protect nerve cells from dying?

Why does Lake Geneva emit large quantities of CO2? UNIL scientists provide the answer and solve a scientific enigma

Double strike against blood cancer

Combining VR and non-invasive brain stimulation: a neurotechnology that boosts spatial memory without surgery

A rudimentary quantum network link between Dutch cities

Accounting for bias in medical data helps prevent AI from amplifying racial disparity

MD Anderson Research Highlights for October 30, 2024

Three Baycrest leaders named 2024 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: WXN’s Top 100 Award winners

Scientists uncover new mechanism in plant cold sensing

Study shows natural regrowth of tropical forests has immense potential to address environmental concerns

After a heart attack, the heart signals to the brain to increase sleep to promote healing

Complexity of tumors revealed in 3D

Into the great wide open: How steppe pastoralist groups formed and transformed over time

Determining precise timing of cellular growth to understand the origins of cancer

Healthy brains suppress inappropriate immune responses

Large meltwater accumulation revealed inside Greenland Ice Sheet

Ancient DNA brings to life history of the iconic aurochs, whose tale is intertwined with climate change and human culture

Reversing environmental decline: Lessons from African communities

'Black box' of stem cell transplants opened in world-first blood study

New pathway for sensing cold temperatures identified in rice

Study identifies how ovarian cancer protects itself, paves way for improved immunotherapy approach

State policies regulating law enforcement access to prescription drug monitoring program testosterone prescription data

Validation of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire in patients with tricuspid regurgitation

New study shows combination therapy slows cognitive decline in at-risk populations

[Press-News.org] Texas Teens and Sexting: The Legal Consequences
Sexting, or sending sexually provocative pictures via text or e-mail, can lead to severe legal consequences in Texas.