New Jersey approaches sexting involving minors differently than many other states. Rather than simply reducing penalties, New Jersey established a specific diversionary program under N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-71.1. This law allows minors to attend an educational course instead of facing prosecution for child pornography. However, if a minor fails to complete the program or is not eligible, … Read more
New Hampshire maintains some of the strictest laws in the United States regarding sexually explicit images involving minors. Unlike many other states that have enacted specific “safe harbor” statutes or graduated misdemeanor offenses for teen sexting, New Hampshire law generally classifies the possession, manufacture, or distribution of such images as serious felonies under its Child … Read more
Nevada has adopted a progressive approach to teen sexting that aims to rehabilitate rather than criminalize minors for first-time mistakes. Under NRS 200.737, minors who share explicit images of themselves or their peers are generally treated as “children in need of supervision” rather than sex offenders. However, adults who engage in similar conduct face severe … Read more
Alaska has some of the strictest laws in the nation regarding sexting, as the state has not enacted a specific “teen sexting” misdemeanor statute to distinguish minor-to-minor exchanges from serious child pornography offenses. Consequently, minors involved in sexting can potentially face felony charges under general child sexual abuse material (CSAM) statutes. The relevant laws are … Read more
Nebraska takes a strict approach to sexting, classifying most offenses involving minors under its serious child pornography statutes. Unlike some states with dedicated “teen sexting” misdemeanors, Nebraska primarily relies on affirmative defenses to protect minors from felony charges. This means a teen could potentially be charged with a felony first and must then prove they … Read more
Montana has some of the strictest and most dangerous sexting laws in the United States. Unlike states that have enacted specific “teen sexting” misdemeanors to separate foolish behavior from serious crimes, Montana does not have a specific sexting statute. This means minors who share explicit images can be charged with the exact same felony offenses … Read more
Missouri maintains some of the strictest laws in the nation regarding sexting, as the state statutes do not explicitly distinguish between “teen sexting” and serious child pornography offenses. Unlike states with specific “Romeo and Juliet” exceptions for digital images, Missouri law technically categorizes any visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexual conduct as child … Read more
Mississippi maintains some of the strictest laws in the nation regarding digital sexual imagery, with no specific “teen sexting” statute to shield minors from felony charges. Unlike states that have created lesser misdemeanor offenses for consensual sexting between teenagers, Mississippi prosecutors typically rely on the state’s severe child exploitation and pornography laws. This means a … Read more
Minnesota law takes a strict approach to sexting involving minors, classifying it under the state’s serious child pornography statutes. Unlike some other states that have created specific “teen sexting” laws with lighter penalties, Minnesota generally prosecutes these offenses under statutes for the “Use of Minors in Sexual Performance” or “Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.” … Read more
Michigan has some of the strictest sexting laws in the United States. Unlike states that have created specific “teen sexting” statutes to handle minor-to-minor offenses with leniency, Michigan law generally classifies sexting involving minors under its serious child sexually abusive activity statutes. This means a teenager who sends a nude photo to a partner could … Read more