Sexting and the Fate of First-Time Offenders in Florida

Authors

Bernadette Garcia

First Page

233

Document Type

Comment

Abstract

This comment addresses the discrepancy posed in Florida's reorganized sexting legislation, Florida Statute section 847.0141, between the sanctions for first-time sexting offending minors and second-time offenders, and the limited resources available to deter minors from recommitting the same offense. To begin, Part II introduces the pervasiveness of sexting among minors, cases of sexting and current sexting legislation in the United States, Florida's stance on sexting between minors, and diversion programming for delinquent youth. Next, Part III addresses Florida's sexting legislation, as well as Florida's different juvenile delinquency prevention programs. Additionally, Part IV analyzes the changes to Florida's sexting statute, Florida's current cybersafety education, and diversion programming effectiveness. Moreover, Part V offers a practical solution to increase sanctions for first-time offenders to deter repeated offenses, while implementing cyber-safety education that hones in on consensual sexting. Finally, Part VI requests that the Florida Legislature take the solutions into account and amend Florida Statute Section 847.0141.

Recommended Citation

Bernadette Garcia, Sexting and the Fate of First-Time Offenders in Florida, 28 St. Thomas L. Rev. 233 (2016).
Available at: https://scholarship.stu.edu/stlr/vol28/iss2/4