Full question:
Is sexting between minors or teems in Colorado illegal?
- Category: Mobile Phones
- Subcategory: Sexting
- Date:
- State: Colorado
Answer:
In Colorado, sexting between teenagers can be illegal under the "sexual exploitation of a child" statute. A Colorado Court ruled in People ex rel. T.B. (2016) that the law applies to teenagers sending sexually explicit messages or images to each other.
The court stated that the statute does not differentiate based on the age of the perpetrator. Therefore, if a teenager's actions meet the elements of the law, they can be held responsible just like an adult. The law defines a child as anyone under eighteen, which includes most teenagers.
The court acknowledged that while there is ongoing debate about whether teen sexting should be illegal, the current law criminalizes it when it meets the specified criteria. The court emphasized that it is up to the Colorado General Assembly to decide on any policy changes regarding this issue.
While the consequences for teenagers found guilty of such actions can be significant, the court affirmed that the law must be applied as written when the evidence supports the charges.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.