The newest teen fad sweeping across the country at the moment has put many teenagers and young adults in life altering positions over the last few months.  This new fad involves sending explicit photos of themselves or other teens via text messaging or email and has been given the term "sexting".  Under both Federal and State criminal law, anyone sending or receiving elicit photos or videos of persons under the age of 18, may be guilty of possession, distribution and production of child pornography, even if they themselves are under the age of 18.

For example, a 15-year-old Pennsylvania girl is facing child pornography charges for sending nude photos of herself to other kids.  A 19-year-old Florida man got thrown out of college and has to register as a sex offender for 25 years because he sent nude pictures of his girlfriend to other teens.  In Alabama, authorities arrested four middle-school students for exchanging nude photos of themselves.  And in Rochester, N.Y., a 16-year-old boy is now facing up to seven years in prison for forwarding a nude photo of a 15-year-old girlfriend to his friends.

Being accused of a sex crime can be a terrifying experience for anyone, let alone teens who are mainly guilty of bad judgment. Child pornography charges may permanently change your life and place your future and freedom at stake.  It takes a truly skilled and experienced criminal attorney to defend a client who is charged with any type of sex crime and achieve the best possible result.

The consequences for a sex crime conviction may range from probation to a lifetime in jail in certain circumstances. Additionally, almost any conviction will include mandatory lifetime sex offender registration, a label that will govern where you are able to live and work. Being labeled a sex offender carries with it serious social consequences - friends, business associates and even family members may no longer want to be involved in your life.

Don't let a conviction for a sex crime ruin your life and destroy your future. If you, or someone you know has been arrested or is under investigation for a sex crime, Contact Los Angeles sex crimes defense lawyer Robert M. Bernstein regarding your case to defend your rights.