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NJ Could Criminalize Taking Photographs Of Children
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 10, 2011
Modified May 10, 2011
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 10, 2011
Modified May 10, 2011
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If you live in the Garden State and "take a picture of your child at the Jersey shore, building a sand castle, and there were other children in the background," you might someday be charged with a crime. Right now, such a law is being debated in the New Jersey legislature would include broad language that "would make it a third degree crime to photograph or video tape children when a 'reasonable parent or guardian would not expect his child to be the subject of such reproduction." A third degree crime in New Jersey carries a maximum sentence of 3-5 years in prison.
The law was introduced after parents complained that a New York man was videotaping their daughter at a summer swim meet; the 63 year-old told police she was "sexy" and was later charged with disorderly conduct. Republican Assemblyman David Russo acknowledged that "this sort of smacks of the opposite of the way society is going, but…we think it's an issue that should be discussed." After the somewhat absurd conviction of a Michigan 21-year-old for filming a prank YouTube video with children, laws like these should be carefully tailored to prevent undue prosecution. Of course, there are pervs out there.
Tagged
child pornography
children
crime
nanny state
new jersey
perverts
photography
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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