Pittsburgh Sexting Lawyer

Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorney

"Sexting" involves the sending or receiving of nude or salacious images via cell phone. Sexting came to national attention in October of 2008 when high school students in the Tunkahannock, Pennsylvania School District had their cell phones confiscated by school officials. Semi-nude photographs were found on their cell phones, prompting George Skumanick, the District Attorney of Wyoming County, to threaten filing child pornography charges against the teens. Since then, in other parts of the country, other sexting cases have come before the courts. In a case out of Massachusetts, boys between the ages of 12 and 14 exchanged a nude photograph of a 13 year old female classmate. While child pornography laws were intended to punish predatory pedophiles, the law hasn't yet decided how to handle sexting. For instance, what happens if a 16 year old (minor) sends a nude photograph of herself to her 18 year old (adult) boyfriend?

At the Pittsburgh criminal defense Law Offices of David S. Shrager, we understand the issues involved in this evolving area of law. Our experience in computer sex crimes and child pornography cases means were intimately familiar with state and federal laws that govern obscenity, child pornography, and the criminal use of a communication device. If you or your teen has been arrested related to sexting, contact criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of David S. Shrager today to schedule an appointment and learn how we can help you.

What to Do if Your Teen's School Calls

School officials are not law enforcement officers. They do not have arrest powers. If they take a teen's phone, they do not have the authority or right to see what is on it. If your teen's teacher or principle calls you and asks you to come to the school to discuss images found on your son's or daughter's phone, contact our office immediately. We can assert and protect your rights and hold school officials responsible for overstepping their authority.

Contact Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Sexting Attorneys

Although the law is evolving in relation to sexting, the potential for serious consequences is real enough: should a district attorney decide to pursue obscenity or child pornography charges, you or your teen face heavy fines and jail. If brought into a case earlier on, our attorneys may be able to pre-empt further investigation or action by talking with prosecutors. While we cannot guarantee a particular outcome, we may be able to reach an agreement that keeps your case from heading to trial and avoids having your son or daughter register as a sex crime offender for the rest of their lives.

To schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case, contact Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania sexting attorneys at the Law Offices of David S. Shrager today at 412-567-7967.