Texas Laws On Teenage Dating
🔞 ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻
Texas Laws On Teenage Dating
texas.public.law needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.
Did you know bots historically made up nearly 40% of all internet traffic?
Requests from malicious bots can pose as legitimate traffic. Occasionally, you may see this page while the site ensures that the connection is secure.
Performance & security by Cloudflare
About
Neal Davis
Tyler Brock
Andrew Jordan
Hiring an Attorney
Expertise
Criminal Defense
Sex Crime Defense
Child Pornography
Child Solicitation
Drug Possession
White Collar Crimes
Shoplifing/Theft
DWI
Murder Defense
Assault & Family Violence
Title IX Defense
Results
Reviews
Press
Resources
Blog
Criminal Defense Guides
Scholarships
Español
Sexting: When Is It a Crime in Texas?
Submitted by Neal Davis on February 7, 2018
He focused on listening and helping, not just explaining his fees
We respect your privacy. The use of this form does not establish an attorney-client relationship.
1545 Heights Blvd. , Suite 700
Houston , TX 77008
Map
Your Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer: Neal Davis
Perhaps you or a family member has indulged in a form of social media commonly called “sexting.” With no physical contact involved, such flirtations may seem harmless. But did you know that sexting can be a crime in Texas?
It all depends on what you text and to whom .
As a mix of “sex” and “texting,” the term “sexting” more broadly refers to various forms of electronic or digital communication using a cell phone, computer or other digital device to receive, forward or send sexually explicit text, images, photos or videos.
Smartphones are the most common technology used for sexting since they include cameras for taking and sending sexually explicit photos, as well as access to the Internet, all in one device.
It’s widely assumed that sexting is largely the domain of teens. GuardChild.com reports that an estimated 40 percent of teens have sent sexually suggestive messages via text, email or instant messaging, and 20 percent of teens have sent or posted semi-nude or nude videos or photos of themselves.
But other studies indicate that adults and the population at large are just as likely to indulge in sexting. Research reported at a recent American Psychological Association convention revealed that over 80 percent of people surveyed online said they’d sexted in the past year. And 88 percent had sexted at one time or another.
Though sexting can be illegal in some circumstances, surely almost 90 percent of Americans aren’t criminals. Or are they?
Some may be surprised to discover that their behavior is illegal. Consider the case of disgraced former New York congressman Anthony Weiner . He was recently sentenced to 21 months in a prison for the crime of sexting with a 15-year-old girl whom he had never met.
That was a federal offense leading to federal prison. But what about Texas sexting laws? When is sexting a crime in Texas?
Texas laws on sexting tend to go easier on teens and more strictly on adults. They also don’t mention the word “sexting,” but rather describe sending or receiving materials illegally.
Under Texas statutes, a consensual intimate texting relationship between adults who engage in sexting isn’t a problem. But when participants are involved with minors while texting, it can lead to jail time.
Though Texas law doesn’t specifically prohibit sexting, it does consider it a crime when sexual communications, which can include sexting, occur between adults and minors.
Under Texas Penal Code §43.24, distributing or displaying harmful or prurient material to a minor under age 18 is a crime for an adult. That means sexting is a crime when an adult shares sexual material with a minor in this way.
It’s also illegal for an adult to send a sexual image of a minor to another adult, and the other adult receiving it. That can be considered possessing or distributing child pornography — a very serious offense in Texas and under federal law, too.
Another Texas law also makes sexting illegal and pertains more to teens.
Texas Penal Code §43.261 holds that a minor commits a crime by knowingly and deliberately sending electronic messages involving sexual conduct by minors to other minors. Under Texas law, it’s illegal for minors to possess visual material depicting other minors in sexual conduct if the minor possessing it produced the material or knows a minor who did so.
However, if such material shows only the sender or another minor no more than two years older than the sender, and the two are in a dating relationship, that’s not considered a crime under Texas law. This protects teen couples who simply indulge in sexting to each other and include no other minors in the sexting materials or contacts.
Though anyone under the age of 18 is considered a minor in Texas, the state also holds that the “age of consent” is 17. This means that at age 17, teens have the legal right to consent to sexual activity.
It also means they can send sexually explicit images via sexting or some other means to a dating partner within two years of their own age. However, if such a teen sends sexual images to an adult aged 20 or older, that can be considered a crime, both for the teen and for the adult.
Sexting also applies under Texas Penal Code §43.26, which concerns the possession or promotion of child pornography. Simply possessing child pornography is a crime, regardless of how old you are, and sexting can be construed as a means of possessing and distributing child pornography.
Teens or adults facing criminal charges over sexting when the wrong things may have been sent to the wrong persons need to get an experienced and knowledgeable Texas sex crime defense lawyer. In Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Houston and the rest of Harris County, that lawyer is veteran Houston defense attorney Neal Davis .
Neal Davis has worked to get charges such as sexting and other sex crime offenses reduced or even dismissed for many of his clients in the pre-trial stage. He also has defended clients successfully when their case goes to trial.
Neal Davis understands the law and the seriousness of sex crime and child porn charges. He also recognizes the fact that oftentimes so-called sexting doesn’t constitute a criminal offense, but rather overzealous law officers and prosecutors making broad interpretations of the law.
As a defense against a sex crime charge, Neal Davis may argue that the defendant is innocent based on individual circumstances of the case. Perhaps an adult received sexually explicit images of a minor via sexting, but the adult didn’t know that the images depicted a minor. Perhaps the adult never agreed to receive such images in the first place, before they were sent.
Keep in mind that much sexting is entirely voluntary. Teens often take sexual pictures of themselves and send them to other teens with whom they have a relationship with and who are willing recipients. But the line between consensual courtship and criminal sexting can be blurred by authorities who are determined to make a name for themselves by prosecuting “sex criminals.”
Don’t let overreaching authorities and overly broad laws put you in the position of facing a charge for sexting or other sex crimes.
Contact us at the Neal Davis Law Firm today and receive a confidential legal review of your case. Then, let’s get started defending your legal rights.
Learn all about the legal process and your legal rights.
While based in Houston, our law firm provides knowledgeable representation and comprehensive legal services for individuals throughout Texas, including:
A principle of the American criminal justice system is that all defendants are "innocent until proven guilty." Houston criminal defense attorney Neal Davis and his skilled legal team represent individuals accused of committing crimes. For over 20 years, Neal Davis has successfully defended clients in Texas and federal courts in all types of criminal matters at all phases, from state misdemeanors to complex federal matters. Often, he has favorably resolved criminal cases quickly and quietly, without the need for trial.
The Neal Davis Law Firm defends the rights of individuals charged with all types of state crimes, including drug offenses , child sex crimes , online solicitation of a minor , child pornography , DWI and intoxication manslaughter, fraud and theft , assault and family violence , and murder and homicide, as well as all types of federal crimes.
Board Certified, Criminal Law – Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Serving all of counties and federal courts across Texas, including Harris County (Houston), Montgomery County (Conroe), Galveston County and Fort Bend County (Richmond).
Enjuris Texas personal injury guide
©
2022 Neal Davis Law Firm, PLLC. All rights reserved. Law Firm Online Marketing by SEO Advantage, Inc.
The information and materials on this website are provided for general informational purposes only, and are not intended to be legal advice. We attempt to provide quality information, but the law changes frequently, and varies from place to place. The information and materials provided are general in nature, and may not apply to a specific factual or legal circumstance. An attorney and client relationship should not be implied. Nothing on this website is intended to substitute for the advice of an attorney; therefore, if you require legal advice, please consult with a competent attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction. Every case is different and individual results may vary depending on the facts of a case.
Visit cloudflare.com for more information.
The web server reported a bad gateway error.
Cloudflare Ray ID: 75ae2e4fb8b616c7
•
Your IP:
Click to reveal
109.248.142.92
•
Performance & security by Cloudflare
Accidents and Injuries
Arbitration and Mediation
Bankruptcy
Cannabis Law
Car Accidents
Civil Rights
Consumer Protection
Criminal Law
DUI Law
Education Law
Elder Law
Employment Law
Estate Planning
Family Law
Health Care Law
Immigration Law
Litigation and Appeals
Military Law
Product Liability
Real Estate Law
Small Business Law
Social Security and Retirement Planning
Tax Law
Traffic Laws
Voting
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select
Begin typing to search, use arrow
keys to navigate, use enter to select
Popular Directory Searches
Family Lawyers Accident Attorneys Criminal Lawyers
Popular Directory Searches
Family Lawyers Accident Attorneys Criminal Lawyers
More Options
Legal Issues
Name Search
Browse Lawyers
Browse Law Firms
Help
...
FindLaw
Learn About The Law
State Laws
Texas Law
Texas Legal Ages Laws
Begin typing to search, use arrow keys to navigate, use enter to select
Popular Directory Searches
Family Lawyers Accident Attorneys Criminal Lawyers
Our Team
Accessibility
Contact Us
By Location
By Legal Issue
By Lawyer Profiles
By Name
Learn About the Law
State Laws
U.S. Caselaw
U.S. Codes
I need help near (city, ZIP code or county)
I need help near (city, ZIP code or county)
Please enter a legal issue and/or a location
Name
Search
Browse Legal Issues
Browse Law Firms
Support
Find Cases and Laws
Are you a legal professional? Visit our professional site »
Get tailored family law advice and ask a lawyer questions. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors
| Last updated February 28, 2018
Texas, as do many other states, recognizes 18 as the "age of majority," at which point residents are legally considered adults (as opposed to "minors"). But Texas legal ages laws also govern a minor's eligibility for emancipation, the legal capacity for signing a contract or consenting to medical treatment. Also, the legal age for alcohol consumption in all states is 21.
Texas law allows for the emancipation of minors in certain circumstances. Any minor petitioning a Texas court for emancipation -- that is, being declared an adult in the eyes of the law -- must be a Texas resident, 17 years old (or 16 and living apart from one's parents), and able to support and manage one's own affairs.
The minor seeking emancipation will have to state the following in his or her petition:
Any minor who is either in the military or 16 years old and living apart from one's parents (and thus eligible for emancipation) may consent to medical treatment. However, all minors in Texas may consent to treatment pertaining to pregnancy, drug or alcohol abuse, or infectious diseases.
The table below highlights some of the main provisions of Texas legal ages laws. See Emancipation of Minors and Parental Liability Basics for related information.
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact a Texas family law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Whether you want to know about emancipation laws or a minor's legal ability to consent to medical treatment, there is one key place to go for answers -- a family law attorney . A good lawyer can explain the law and how
Sister Lust Porno
Bdsm Xxx Mistress
Seks New Girl