The Virginia State Crime Commission is looking at whether child pornography production and distribution charges should be lessened for teens sending lewd pictures of themselves to friends.
Under current state law there is no distinction between adult predators making child porn and teen sexting, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch.
It’s up to prosecutors to decide whether to prosecute sexting teens on felony child porn charges. [READ: Magazine reporter questions Louisa teens about sexting to find out why they do it]
Which means, by the book, teens could face five to 30 years in prison and be labeled a sex offender, if convicted.
The crime commission looked at this premise five years ago, but there was concern that lessening the penalty may create loopholes for child predators.
Any final decision on teen sexting laws lies with the General Assembly.
Read more here.
