In modern romantic relationships, it is common for couples to share intimate photos and videos of each other through texts, e-mails, and other messaging services available on a cell phone or online. However, when the relationship turns sour, many scorned exes try to ruin their former partner’s life by posting private images publicly for the world to see.
This practice is known as “revenge porn,” which is a cybercrime that involves sharing intimate images of a person without their consent. Although some situations involve information that was first freely given, others involve hacking into someone else’s personal accounts.
Minnesota Revenge Porn Laws
In August 2016, Minnesota became the 33rd state in the country to criminalize revenge porn. The state’s revenge porn law is called “Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images,” which makes it illegal for a person to intentionally disseminate an intimate sexual image of someone else.
Breaking this law is considered a misdemeanor. A conviction for a first offense is punishable by a maximum one-year jail term and a fine no more than $1,000.
However, the following are aggravating factors which may upgrade the charge to a felony offense:
- The victim suffered financial loss after the sexual image was shared
- The perpetrator aimed to profit off the crime
- The perpetrator created a website to share nonconsensual, private images
- The perpetrator shared the images on a website
- The shared image was meant to harass the victim
- The perpetrator hacked a computer or device to obtain private images
- The perpetrator has a prior conviction for revenge porn
A conviction for a felony offense carries a prison sentence of up to three years.
If you have been charged with Minnesota’s revenge porn law, that doesn’t mean that you are guilty. Our Minneapolis legal team at Brockton D. Hunter, P.A. is committed to helping you protect your innocence to obtain the most favorable outcome possible.
For more information about revenge porn in Minnesota, contact us at (612) 979-1112 and schedule a free consultation today.