Minnesota Revenge Porn Laws: Defending Your Rights
When facing legal challenges related to revenge porn in Minnesota, you want a legal team with decades of experience and a substantial track record to handle your case. Many people think that those involving celebrities are those ones who will get prosecuted. This is simply not the case. At Jack Rice Defense, we bring our expertise to the table to protect your rights and provide you with the best possible defense.
“Getting convicted of revenge porn can land you in jail or even prison.”
Understanding Minnesota Revenge Porn Laws
Minnesota's revenge porn laws have garnered significant attention, and we've successfully navigated complex cases since the law’s inception. While there were questions early on about freedom of speech and revenge porn laws, a recent verdict from the Minnesota Supreme Court has affirmed the constitutionality of these laws. But what exactly do these laws entail, and what can you do if you're facing charges related to revenge porn?
Deciphering Revenge Porn
Revenge porn charges can be levied against people who share explicit images, even if their intentions are not malicious. Under Minnesota law, revenge porn is defined as intentionally disseminating an image of another person engaged in a sexual act or with intimate body parts exposed, either in whole or in part. Several key conditions must be met:
The person in the image is identifiable.
The individual sharing the image knows or reasonably should know that the person depicted did not consent to its dissemination.
The image was obtained under circumstances where the person depicted had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
It's essential to note that an image can be deemed identifiable not only if the person's face is visible but also through any other identifying information within the image, such as accompanying text. Sometimes it might be an image that depicts a particularly unique tattoo or other identifiable mark. This broad definition ensures that many situations can fall under the purview of Minnesota's revenge porn laws.
Penalties for Revenge Porn
Revenge porn offenses in Minnesota are categorized as either gross misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the specific circumstances involved.
Gross Misdemeanor Revenge Porn
Typically, revenge porn is treated as a gross misdemeanor, carrying the following penalties:
A fine of up to $3,000.
Potential incarceration for up to one year.
Even in its most basic form, revenge porn charges can result in significant financial costs and damage to your reputation. However, this can put you in jail.
Felony Revenge Porn
In certain situations, the sharing of explicit images can escalate to a felony offense. The following factors can elevate a revenge porn case to felony status:
Financial losses experienced by the person depicted in the images.
Posting the images online.
Disseminating the images with the intent to harass the individual.
A profit motive behind the distribution of the images.
Disseminating the images while committing another crime, such as theft.
Repeated offenses related to revenge porn.
Sharing images from another person's phone or computer without authorization, for example, can lead to theft charges and potentially result in a felony conviction. Harassment, as defined in the statute, encompasses any behavior substantially affecting the safety, security, or privacy of a reasonable person, making it relatively easy for individuals to claim a violation of their privacy when intimate images are shared online.
Felony revenge porn carries more severe penalties:
A fine of up to $5,000.
Potential imprisonment for up to three years.
Importantly, the consent of the person in the images does not absolve you of charges. Sharing such images, even without posting them online, can lead to legal consequences.
“Revenge porn can be deeply personal and if charges come, this doesn’t mean that a trial is inevitable or even desirable. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side is critical.”
Why You Need an Attorney
If you're facing charges related to revenge porn in Minnesota, it's crucial to have experienced legal representation. The consequences of even a single act can be severe, potentially resulting in years of imprisonment. At Jack Rice Defense, our criminal defense attorneys have a strong record of fighting revenge porn cases in court and gaining recognition as leading authorities on revenge porn defense in the state. We provide personalized, skilled defense to every client and work tirelessly to minimize or dismiss your charges.
For a free consultation on your revenge porn charges, contact Jack Rice Defense today. Call is at 651-447-7650 or 612-227-1339. We're here to protect your rights and provide the legal support you need.