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610-436-1410
Free Consultation:
610-436-1410West Chester
Revenge porn is defined as distributing, without consent, sexually explicit images of someone else – typically a former, or current sexual or intimate partner – to cause embarrassment or distress. At least thirty-eight (38) states, including the District of Columbia, have laws against revenge porn.
Since most revenge porn crimes take place over the internet, Pennsylvania has determined that a person may be charged under this statute if the victim or the offender is located in this state. Misunderstandings in intimate relationships happen very often, which is why it is important that anytime you send or receive an intimate image you establish a clear understanding of personal boundaries
The most common defense to criminal revenge porn charges is that the victim consented to the image being distributed. For consent to be valid, it must be given knowingly and voluntarily.
Additionally, the prosecutor in these cases often has a problem proving that the defendant was the person who distributed the images online. To overcome that obstacle, a law enforcement officer will often travel to the suspect’s home or office to conduct an interrogation to see if the suspect will confess to the crime. In other cases, law enforcement officer will ask the victim to participate in a “controlled phone call” so that a recording of the conversion can be made to see if the suspect confesses to the crime.
Talk to an experienced sex crime attorney to find out what your rights are if you are facing criminal charges for revenge porn. Call (610) 436-1410 today.
In Pennsylvania, the statute for revenge porn is entitled, “the Unlawful Dissemination of an Intimate Image.” A person is guilty of this offense if the prosecution proves, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the accused did the following:
Revenge porn is charged under 18 P.A. § 3131. The penalty for revenge porn is usually a second-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to two (2) years of incarceration and up to $5,000 fines.
Posting revenge porn is charged as a first-degree misdemeanor when the person depicted is a minor. Under Pennsylvania law, a first-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to five (5) years in prison and $10,000 fines.
Pennsylvania Statute §8316.1 allows a person to recover civil damages for revenge porn. A person may have a cause of action if the complainant is a competent, natural person, or the guardian of a person.
A court of competent jurisdiction may award damage. In deciding damages, the court must consider that dissemination of an intimate image may cause long-term or permanent injury. The court may award the following type of damage:
The court may use its discretion to award up to three times the actual damages sustained, but if it has determined that damage exists, then it may not award less than $500. The court may also award attorney’s fees and any additional award that it deems necessary and proper.
§ 3131. Unlawful dissemination of intimate image – Visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly website to find the statutory language for § 3131 that prohibits the unlawful dissemination of an intimate image. Learn more about the civil and criminal penalties for this offense. Also find the definition of the term “visual depiction” as defined in section 6321.
Revenge Porn Laws in Pennsylvania – Visit Cyber Civil Rights for more information about the criminal penalties for revenge porn in Pennsylvania and other states around the country. Holly Jacobs started the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, Ph.D., to end revenge porn and to combat its negative effects.
Online Removal of Porn Posted for Revenge – The Cyber Civil Rights Initiative also has tips to help victims remove images from a website or social media sites. Cyber Civil Rights has worked with all of the major social media companies, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit to gauge their policies and find out how to remove the image.
If you were charged with disseminating revenge porn, you want an experienced revenge porn attorney who will fight for your rights. Call Skinner Law Firm at (610) 436-1410to learn more about the defenses to revenge porn charges.
With offices located West Chester, PA, revenge porn defense lawyer Michael Skinner represents clients accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses throughout the boroughs of West Chester in Chester County and Media in Delaware County.