The recent guilty plea by a revenge porn website operator may be a significant step towards a federal law banning such sites in the United States. Indeed, the 28-year-old California man pled guilty to aggravated identity theft and unauthorized access to personal computers (both of which are not specifically revenge porn) but it is a significant story given the growing trend across the Internet.
For the uninitiated, revenge porn is the term given to the act of posting illicit pictures of ex-girlfriends on social media (or specific sites dedicated to “outing” a person) as an act of vengeance for breaking the relationship. While there are federal laws in place to prevent teens from sending and sharing sexually explicit photos, the same does not necessarily apply to adults.
At the same time, a number of states have enacted legislation essentially banning the practice. In fact, another man in California was the first to be convicted under the state’s revenge porn law in December. However, it is expected that the various laws will be challenged on free speech grounds. Nevertheless, this may not stop people from being charged with a crime.
If you are under investigation for a crime, or are being questioned for your role in connection with posting or sharing sexually explicit photos on social media, it is important that you speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. A skilled lawyer can explain your rights under the law, help you understand your options, so that you can make an informed decision about your future.
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