Put Away Your Claws; Revenge Porn is Illegal in New Jersey

Jets linebacker Jermaine Cunningham was charged for transmitting what is most commonly known as “revenge porn” featuring an ex-girlfriend. Simply put, many people make sexy videos when they are together. When they break up, distributing those videos to assumingly embarrass your ex is called revenge porn.

Many people don’t realize it, but New Jersey was the first state in the country to pass a law making the distribution of pornography without the subject’s consent illegal. The NJ law was enacted due to the growing discrepancy between old school laws and new technology.

Currently, police haven’t found a motive for Jermaine’s distribution of the sexual images. However, under the law, motive doesn’t matter. The “revenge porn” law makes it illegal to distribute sexual images of a person without that person’s consent as a whole, which means that motive doesn’t play into the charges at all. New Jersey is now one of 16 different states that criminalizes non-consensual pornography.

In New Jersey, being found guilty of distributing revenge porn is a third degree crime that can carry a potential jail sentence. Further, NJ is one of the most aggressive when it comes to revenge porn arrests. People who are convicted can spend up to five years in prison for this charge alone. Very recently, one person spent six months in jail after being found guilty for this charge.

Make no mistake about it, New Jersey is a state that is seriously clamping down on all forms of sexual misconduct – including revenge porn. This is a serious charge. If you are facing revenge porn charges, hire an experienced lawyer who knows the laws and will fight for your rights. Call the law office of John W. Tumelty for a free consultation about distribution of porn charges.