Danbury Sextortion Lawyer
Regardless of the context, releasing explicit photos or videos to the public without the depicted person’s consent can lead to severe criminal consequences in Connecticut. If you have been accused of this type of offense, contacting an experienced Danbury sextortion lawyer is a vital first step towards building the most effective possible defense strategy and achieving a favorable final resolution. The Law Offices of Mark Sherman have extensive experience with domestic violence, sex crimes, and more.
Is “Revenge Porn” a Misdemeanor Offense?
“Sextortion” is a colloquial term that can refer to multiple different actions that are illegal under the Connecticut Penal Code, all of which involve someone threatening to cause harm or actually harming another person through the improper use of intimate images of that person. This is sometimes alternatively referred to as “revenge porn,” since it is common for criminal charges of this nature to arise from someone allegedly trying to hurt a former spouse or intimate partner.
If anyone knowingly shares, publishes, displays, or otherwise disseminates a photo or video showing someone else engaged in sexual intercourse or another form of sexual display without the depicted person’s consent, they may face criminal charges under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-189c. In order for someone to be convicted under this statute, the image(s) in question must show a clearly identifiable person engaged in sexual activity that did not occur in a public and/or commercial setting, and the release of such images must not serve the public interest in any way.
Disseminating an intimate image in this way, even to just one other person, is considered a Class A misdemeanor in Connecticut. This means a convicted defendant could face maximum sanctions of up to one year in jail and $2,000 in fines. As a Danbury sextortion attorney can affirm, though, there are several circumstances where an offense of this nature may be prosecuted much more harshly.
When Does “Sextortion” Become a Felony?
If anyone unlawfully disseminates an intimate image as defined under C.G.S. § 53a-189c to more than one person by posting it online or sharing it through any other kind of computer, telephone, or electronic communication service, their charge will likely be elevated to a Class D felony. This would mean that even a first-time offender with no prior criminal record could face maximum penalties upon conviction of up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
Someone who threatens to release such images or actually does release them as part of a scheme to extort money or something else valuable out of the depicted person may face harsher punishment. Under C.G.S. § 53a-122, Larceny achieved through Extortion of any kind always constitutes Larceny in the First Degree no matter how much money is allegedly involved in the scheme. Larceny in the First Degree is a Class B felony, meaning someone convicted under this statute could face anywhere from 1 to 20 years in prison plus up to $15,000 in fines—an outcome that a sextortion defense lawyer in Danbury can fight to prevent.
Get in Touch With a Danbury Sextortion Attorney Today
An accusation that you harmed someone else through “revenge porn” or “sextortion” can drastically alter the course of your life. In situations like these, the quality of legal counsel you retain can have a huge impact on what your future and personal opportunities look like.
Call the Offices of Mark Sherman Law today to discuss your options with a Danbury sextortion lawyer, and visit our Avvo profile for hundreds of certified reviews from past clients.