Whether it’s a flirtatious gesture or motivated by other factors, Oklahoma teen sexting laws are nothing to take lightly. One thing that sets Oklahoma apart from other states is that we don’t have laws that specifically deal with teen sexting. If a teen is caught sexting, they will be charged with the same child pornography laws that pedophiles and child predators are charged with.
Child Pornography Laws in Oklahoma
These child pornography laws are broad and have a large scope. In Oklahoma it’s illegal to have, produce, download, or distribute any nude or sexual images, videos, or depictions of anyone under the age of 18. It’s also illegal to encourage a child to participate in the production of child pornography (i.e. photographing or video recording). To put it simply, it’s highly illegal to be involved in anyway with any kind of child pornography, no matter how old you are.
Federal Laws
In some cases, sexting can fall under federal laws. These laws are even broader and cover more offenses. However, it’s rare that a juvenile would be prosecuted under federal laws for sexting, but certainly not impossible.
Penalties
Child pornography laws have a wide range of penalties. These punishments range from 30 days in jail to 30 years in prison and a $500 fine to a $25,000 fine, depending on which crime was committed. In addition to jail and fines, anyone convicted of any kind of sex crime might have to register as a sex offender.
The Controversy
People have been critical of these harsh laws, as they apply to teens, claiming there should be separate laws that only deal with teen sexting. Under current laws teens who do the following could be convicted as a sex offender:
- An under age girl who sends a nude photo to her boyfriend.
- The boyfriend who receives the nude photo, even if he didn’t ask for the photo.
- A teen who asks another teen for a nude photo.
If your child or someone you know has been arrested for sexting, you need to find a lawyer with sex crimes experience fast. These charges can ruin a teens future if not handled corrected.
