Westport Sextortion Lawyer

Being accused of distributing or threatening to distribute sexually intimate images of another person without that person’s consent is a serious criminal matter, especially if you allegedly made such a threat in order to extort the depicted individual out of monetary compensation.

An experienced Westport sextortion lawyer who has handled similar cases successfully before could work tirelessly on your behalf to present a strong defense strategy and mitigate the consequences a conviction could bring for you.

Is Revenge Porn Illegal In Westport?

When discussing the unlawful dissemination of intimate images, it is important to differentiate between offenses colloquially known as sextortion and those colloquially known as revenge porn. The former offense is considered more severe than the latter, but either type of charge could have serious repercussion if it leads to a conviction, and assistance from a Westport sextortion attorney could make a huge difference in the outcome of an ensuing criminal case.

Connecticut General Statutes §53a-189c criminalizes revenge porn—the act of distributing photos or videos of another person in an intimate or sexually explicit situation without that person’s permission, while knowing the depicted person had a reasonable expectation of privacy and would suffer harm if the images were distributed. In the context of this offense, illicit material is any image that depicts someone engaging in sexual intercourse, or which depicts any intimate area of their body that is not fully covered by an opaque material.

What Are the Penalties for Distributing Revenge Porn?

Anyone convicted under this statute may face penalties commensurate with a class A misdemeanor, which may include a maximum of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. However, a person cannot be convicted of a crime under this section of state law if they disseminated an intimate image in service of the public interest, depicting someone engaging in voluntary sexual conduct in a public and/or commercial setting, or depicting someone who is not clearly identifiable.

What Constitutes Sextortion Under State Law?

Compared to unlawful dissemination of an intimate image, sextortion—threatening to distribute intimate images of someone else if the depicted party does not provide money, services, or something else of value to the person making the threat—is a much more serious crime. As per C.G.S. §53a-122, any act of larceny by extortion automatically qualifies as larceny in the first degree, which state law categorizes as a class B felony.

If convicted of sextortion under this statute, a defendant could face a prison sentence up to 20 years in length, as well as a $15,000 fine and permanent branding as a felon upon their release from confinement. In light of these extremely harsh potential penalties, anyone accused of this particular offense should not hesitate to retain a skilled sextortion lawyer in Westport as soon as possible.

Speak to a Westport Sextortion Attorney About Legal Options

Hiring a knowledgeable Westport sextortion lawyer could make a world of difference in the final outcome of your case. Head on over to Avvo.com to read all about what it’s like to work with the lawyers at Mark Sherman Law from past clients. Call today to schedule a consultation with a seasoned defense attorney.

Live Chat