Definition: In Massachusetts, sexting can result in felony charges, including creation, possession and distribution of child pornography and the exploitation of minors.
Under Massachusetts pornography laws, possession carries up to 5 years in prison or 2.5 years in jail and a find of $1000 to $10,000 for a first offense. Posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity or sexual conduct, including solicitation through sexting, carries 10 to 20 years in prison, and a $10,000 to $50,000 fine. Distributing child pornography carries 10 to 20 years in prison, and a $10,000 to $50,000 fine.
In the United States, it is against the law to possess lewd photographs of minors. A New York lawyer is petitioning for federal sexting legislation that would make sexting a misdemeanor for minors.
