Legislation falsely claims to “decriminalize” teen sexting

Headlines claim, “N.J. Legislation Would Decriminalize ‘Sexting’ by Teens,” but only for some teens:

Only juveniles who have no prior record, were unaware their actions constituted a criminal offense and are likely to be deterred from future offenses by completing the program would be eligible.

To choose an education program over a child pornography prosecution, teens must apparently prove ignorance of the law and convince someone that education would set them straight. This sounds like the criminal justice opt-out program that already exists: kids who have expensive legal representation (and/or class/race credibility) can prove they are “good” and reformable to avoid incarceration.

This bill unfortunately fails to address the fact that it is still legal (in most states) for two 17-year-olds to have sex, but  illegal for them to photograph it. Until this legal tension is resolved, I think we’ll continue to see such unfair legal band-aids as this one.

Teacher Accidentally Gave Self-Made Sex Tape to 5th Graders

ELK GROVE, CA, CBS News–A class of fifth graders in California got a shocking crash course on the birds and the bees courtesy of their teacher and an x-rated home video she accidently included in a DVD of classroom memories.

Though I think criminal charges for the teacher would be totally inappropriate, I’m surprised they’re not being filed (yet?).

The substitute teacher a few years back who exposed a class to porn pop-ups accidently was treated far more harshly, as are teen girls whose sexually explicit pictures have been sent out to classmates without their permission.

I wonder what the difference is here that makes this teacher seemingly immune to prosecution?

CBS 13 reports that the local school district is investigating the case, but that it is unlikely that teacher, who is well-liked and respected, will lose her job.