Home » Women's Interest Articles » Juvenile Justice Update: New Teen Sexting Law Passes New Jersey Assembly
Juvenile Justice Update: New Teen Sexting Law Passes New Jersey Assembly
An amendment to the New Jersey criminal code establishes a diversionary program for juveniles who are charged with "sexting" -- sending or posting of sexual images using cell phones or computers.
July 16, 2011 /Womens Interest PR News/ -- An important amendment to the New Jersey criminal code will reduce the consequences for teens charged with "sexting" -- sending or posting of sexual images using cell phones or computers. Assembly Bill 1561 establishes a diversionary program for juveniles who are criminally charged with sexting, allowing them to avoid the consequences of a sex crimes conviction.
The measure passed unanimously in the Assembly and has received committee approval in the New Jersey Senate. The bill would amend the current law to provide a remedial education and counseling program for amenable juveniles. The goal of the diversionary program is to increase the young person's awareness of several issues:
-The legal consequences and criminal penalties -- including possible federal charges -- of sharing sexually explicit or suggestive materials
- The non-legal consequences, including loss of educational, extracurricular and employment opportunities
- The long-term effect of placing sexual images on the Internet
- The link between sharing sexual images and cyber-bullying
One of the bill's sponsors, Pamela Lampitt of Camden, explained the purpose to the Gloucester County Times: "Teens need to understand the ramifications of their actions, but they shouldn't necessarily be treated as criminals. We need to create a path that places education and forgiveness before arrest and prosecution."
New Jersey Criminal Defense Attorneys Advise Parents and Teens About Their Options
Juvenile offenses have lesser consequences than if a young person is charged as an adult. But a finding of delinquency in New Jersey's Juvenile Court system is still a very serious matter, and parents must be prepared to respond swiftly to charges involving drug offenses, assault, theft, underage drinking, weapons offenses or sex crimes.
A juvenile criminal record can eliminate eligibility for student loans and destroy a young person's reputation within his or her community. But a range of diversionary programs are available, including Juvenile Conference Committees, Juvenile Referee dispositions, Intake Services Conferences, and Formal or Counsel Mandatory Court.
An experienced New Jersey juvenile crime defense lawyer can help a family fight to keep a case out of adult court and explore strategies to minimize the consequences of a brush with the law. Passage of the new sexting diversionary program law will be one more positive step to present parents and teens with common sense alternatives to a criminal record.
Article provided by Iler Law Firm
Visit us at www.ilerlawfirm.com
---
Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com |
|
|
Press Release Contact Information:
Findlaw PR
|
|
|
|
|
| WOMEN'S INTEREST ARCHIVE SEARCH |
|
|
| |
| SUBMIT WOMEN'S INTEREST NEWS |
|
|
| |
|
|
Advertise With Us |
About Us |
Contact Us