Wyoming is one of the few states that has not enacted a specific teen sexting statute. Unlike many neighboring states that have created reduced penalties for consensual sexting between minors, Wyoming treats all sexually explicit images of minors under the state’s general child pornography and sexual exploitation laws. This means that a teenager who sends … Read more
Unlike some states that have created specific “safe harbor” laws for teen sexting, Wisconsin has not enacted a distinct misdemeanor statute for minor-to-minor sexting. Instead, sexting involving minors is typically prosecuted under the state’s child pornography laws. However, Wisconsin statutes do make critical distinctions in penalties based on the age of the offender, classifying the … Read more
West Virginia distinguishes between teen “sexting” and serious child pornography offenses, offering a specific legal pathway for minors that focuses on rehabilitation rather than felony criminal records. Under West Virginia Code §61-8C-3b, minors who share explicit images are typically handled within the juvenile system as an “act of delinquency,” avoiding the harsh mandatory minimums and … Read more
Washington State maintains a comprehensive legal framework for addressing sexting that distinguishes between teen sexting and adult exploitation of minors. Under RCW Chapter 9.68A, the state has created a graduated penalty system that allows courts to impose reduced charges for consensual peer-to-peer sexting among teenagers while maintaining severe penalties for adults who exploit children. Washington … Read more
Virginia maintains some of the strictest laws in the country regarding sexting, as the state has not enacted a specific “teen sexting” statute to distinguish minor-to-minor exchanges from serious felony offenses. Under the Code of Virginia, sexting involving minors is prosecuted under child pornography statutes, specifically § 18.2-374.1:1. This means even consensual image sharing between … Read more
Utah takes a notably strict stance on sexting and the distribution of explicit images, but state laws provide specific pathways to distinguish between teenage experimentation and serious sexual exploitation. Under Utah Code § 76-10-1206, dealing in material harmful to a minor is the primary statute often used to address teen sexting cases, offering a misdemeanor … Read more
Texas has specific laws addressing sexting involving minors, giving prosecutors charging options that distinguish teen-to-teen sexting from more serious child pornography offenses. Under Texas Penal Code §43.261, minors who share explicit images face misdemeanor charges rather than the felony penalties that apply to child pornography. However, adults who sext with minors face serious felony charges … Read more
Tennessee Sexting Laws 2026: Penalties, Statutes & Defenses Tennessee Sexting Laws 2026: A Comprehensive Guide Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always consult with a qualified criminal defense attorney in Tennessee for legal counsel regarding your specific situation. Tennessee maintains some of the strictest … Read more
South Dakota distinguishes between minors who share explicit images and adults who commit serious child pornography offenses. Under SDCL § 26-10-33, known as the “juvenile sexting” statute, minors face misdemeanor charges for sexting offenses rather than the severe felony penalties associated with child pornography. However, adults—and minors in serious cases—can still face prosecution under the … Read more
South Carolina does not have a specific “teen sexting” statute that separates minor-to-minor sexting from serious felony offenses. Instead, teenagers who share explicit images are typically prosecuted under the state’s severe “Sexual Exploitation of a Minor” laws. However, significant updates in 2025 created a “safety valve” for first-time minor offenders, allowing certain cases to be … Read more