Dan Carrigan ( dcarrigan@nbc40.net ) - 1/23/11 11:14 pm
Last Updated - 1/23/11 11:48 pm
SOUTH JERSEY-- New Jersey teens spend tireless hours texting with their mobile devices at home and even in school. However, some of these texts wont make you laugh out loud.
"It might be a picture, it might be some words, it might be some suggestions, it might be a combination of all of it," said State Senator Jeff Van Drew, (D).
"Sexting" or sending sexually inappropriate and possibly degrading messages can have serious consequences regardless of the offender's age. Simply hitting send with the wrong message and picture can become criminal.
"Some young people maybe involved in this not understanding the real consequences of what they're doing to their social lives, to the people that are involved. Their whole future literally can be prosecuted under Megan's Law," said Van Drew.
One text could mean a lifetime on a list of sexual offenders along with criminal prosecution for sending sexually explicit photographs. Now lawmakers in Trenton are discussing a new way to deal with first time, juvenile offenders.
"We are certainly saying they have to be punished but in an educational way. Not something that is going to destroy the rest of their life," said Van Drew.
New legislation that is apart of a three bill package will have kids go through an educational program to learn about possible federal and state legal penalties. That lesson would include personal effects on relationships and future employment.
New Jersey is one of the first states to look into this type of measure. Some politicians are hoping that Garden State teens do not become repeat offenders.
"The point of this is to make sure we don't continue this pattern, where we can, improve and rehabilitate people," said Van Drew.
The state Judiciary Committee is set to hold a hearing on the legislation this Monday.
Senator Van Drew is in support of the bill, however, he is not a primary sponsor. Many Garden State politicians, including Van Drew, support Megan's Law and also implementing tougher penalties for sex offenders.
"It might be a picture, it might be some words, it might be some suggestions, it might be a combination of all of it," said State Senator Jeff Van Drew, (D).
"Sexting" or sending sexually inappropriate and possibly degrading messages can have serious consequences regardless of the offender's age. Simply hitting send with the wrong message and picture can become criminal.
"Some young people maybe involved in this not understanding the real consequences of what they're doing to their social lives, to the people that are involved. Their whole future literally can be prosecuted under Megan's Law," said Van Drew.
One text could mean a lifetime on a list of sexual offenders along with criminal prosecution for sending sexually explicit photographs. Now lawmakers in Trenton are discussing a new way to deal with first time, juvenile offenders.
"We are certainly saying they have to be punished but in an educational way. Not something that is going to destroy the rest of their life," said Van Drew.
New legislation that is apart of a three bill package will have kids go through an educational program to learn about possible federal and state legal penalties. That lesson would include personal effects on relationships and future employment.
New Jersey is one of the first states to look into this type of measure. Some politicians are hoping that Garden State teens do not become repeat offenders.
"The point of this is to make sure we don't continue this pattern, where we can, improve and rehabilitate people," said Van Drew.
The state Judiciary Committee is set to hold a hearing on the legislation this Monday.
Senator Van Drew is in support of the bill, however, he is not a primary sponsor. Many Garden State politicians, including Van Drew, support Megan's Law and also implementing tougher penalties for sex offenders.
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