Revenge Porn and Digital Sex Crimes

 Posted on February 19, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Maybe things ended badly with someone you were with. Maybe you were angry, or hurting, or just not thinking straight. Whatever the circumstances, you shared an image or a video online that you shouldn’t have. Now you are wondering what happens next, whether you could go to jail, and whether anyone can help you.

First, take a breath. You are not the first person to make this kind of mistake, and you do not have to figure this out alone. If you are facing a revenge porn or digital sex crime charge in 2026, you need a Miami criminal defense attorney in your corner right away.

What Is Revenge Porn and Is It Really a Crime in Florida?

Revenge porn means sharing a sexual image or video of someone without their permission, usually to embarrass or hurt them. In Florida, this is absolutely a crime. It does not matter if you took the image yourself or if the other person originally sent it to you. Sharing it without their permission can land you in serious legal trouble.

Florida Statute 784.049 makes it a crime to publish, post, or share a sexually explicit image of someone when you know they have not given you permission to do so and when you know the image could cause them harm. A first offense is a first-degree misdemeanor, which can mean up to one year in jail and fines. If you have a prior conviction or if you did it to make money, it becomes a third-degree felony, which carries up to five years in prison.

Digital sex crimes also go beyond just revenge porn. Sending unsolicited explicit images, using someone's photos to create fake sexual content, or sharing private recordings without consent can all lead to criminal charges depending on the situation.

What Happens After You Are Charged With a Digital Sex Crime in Miami?

Being charged does not mean you are automatically convicted. The prosecution has to prove their case. That is where having a skilled criminal defense lawyer matters most.

After charges are filed, here is what typically happens:

Arrest and Booking

You may be arrested, fingerprinted, and processed at a Miami-Dade facility. This can feel terrifying, especially if it is your first brush with the law.

First Appearance and Bond

Within 24 hours of arrest, a judge will review your case and decide whether you can be released and under what conditions. Having legal representation at this stage can make a real difference in the conditions set.

Building Your Defense

Your attorney will look at the evidence against you, examine how it was collected, and explore every possible defense. These might include questions about consent, intent, or whether the material even qualifies under the law. No two cases are exactly alike.

Can a Lawyer Really Help Defend You From a Sex Crime if You’re Guilty? 

Even if you made a mistake, that does not mean the worst possible outcome has to happen. A good defense lawyer is not about pretending nothing happened. It is about making sure your rights are protected, that the punishment fits the situation, and that one bad decision does not destroy the rest of your life.

There may be options available to you depending on your history and the details of your case. Diversion programs, reduced charges, or other resolutions may be on the table. You will not know what is possible until you talk to someone who knows Florida criminal law and the Miami courts.

Courts take these sex crime cases seriously. That means you need to take your defense just as seriously.

Call a Miami, FL Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you are facing revenge porn or digital sex crime charges, do not wait and hope the problem goes away. It will not. The sooner you get legal help, the more options you have.

Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney offers free consultations and is available around the clock. Call Stroleny Law: Criminal Defense Attorney at 305-615-1285 and schedule an appointment with our Miami sex crimes defense attorney now.