What is sexting? Penalties for sexting What is child pornography? Penalties for Child Pornography

Sexting (sex and texting) is sex messages and images. Sexting may be a misdemeanor or a felony. Child pornography is photos or video of someone under age 16 Child pornography is a felony. engaged in sexual conduct. Connecticut Law Penalties depend on the age of the person sending or receiving Under age 18 the message, and how many images that person possesses. For someone under age 18 convicted in Juvenile Court for • Does not define “sexting” First Degree Child Pornography - Class B Felony possessing child pornography, penalties are same as sexting. • Includes photo or video images but does not include mes- Possession of: sages Misdemeanor • 50 or more images Someone as young as 15 may have his/her case transferred • Includes sending or receiving images using a cell phone, To qualify for a reduced penalty (misdemeanor), the following • 1 or more images of infliction or threat of serious from Juvenile Court to adult criminal court and face same computer or tablet must all be true: physical injury penalties as an adult, including: • sender must be under age 16 • 2 or more video or film frames, that depict more than • loss of confidentiality • recipient must be under age 18 one child engaged in sexual conduct • loss of right to vote, hold certain offices, obtain certain Sending or possessing a sext message are both • sender must be the subject of image • more than one act of sexual conduct by one or more chil- licenses and professional certificates) against the law. dren • possibile incarceration in adult correctional facility • Any combination of video or film that shows an act of • registery as a sex offender It is against the law to: Felony sexual conduct by one child • Use a cell phone, computer or tablet to send a sexually Possession, sending or receiving images of someone under age 18 or older explicit photo or video of yourself (if you are under 16) to 16 engaged in sexual conduct is a felony (child pornography) if: For someone 18 or older or transferred from Juvenile Court someone who is under 18 • recipient is 18 or older Second Degree Child Pornography –Class C Felony to adult criminal court: • Possess (if you are under 18) a photo or video of someone • image is of someone other than sender Possession of: under 16 engaged in sexual conduct • 20 – 49 images of child pornography Child pornography in First Degree – Class B felony • 20 or more video or film frames that depict an act of sexual • 5 - 20 years in prison conduct by one child • Fine up $15,000

Child pornography in Second Degree – Class C felony Third Degree Child Pornography –Class D Felony • 2 - 10 years in prison Possession of: • Fine up $10,000 • Under 20 images of child pornography Child pornography in Third Degree – Class D felony • Under 20 video or film frames that depict an act of sexual • 1 - 5 years in prison conduct by one child • Fine up $5,000 See exceptions on other side Exceptions to Child Pornography Penalties Don’t Send a Sext Message! Need Help?

Someone charged with child pornography may be able to Once an image is sent, Information about your legal rights avoid conviction if he/she: it is always online and anyone can find it. speakupteens.org • Possessed fewer than 3 images cca-ct.org Sexting People send it to • Did not knowingly purchase, procure, solicit or request Hartford Office each other - even if the images or knowingly take any action to cause the 860-570-5327 images to come into his/her possession they say they won’t. is against the law. Bridgeport Office • Promptly and in good faith, and without keeping or allow- This affects your 203-335-0719www ing anyone except law enforcement to view or copy the future, your family, images, took reasonable steps to destroy each image or and your reported them to law enforcement and gave that agency friendships. access to each image Read this to find out • Possessed an image of a nude person under 16 for a It causes genuine artistic, medical, scientific, educational, reli- bullying and gious, governmental or judicial purpose exclusion. what could happen.

It affects Center for Children’s Advocacy speakupteens.org your well-being. cca-ct.org Don’t send This brochure is intended as reference only and should not be inter- a sext! preted as legal advice. If you need specific information about the law, please call 860-570-5327 or 203-335-0719. © CCA 2018