New Jersey Lawmakers Closer To Letting 'Sexting' Teens Avoid Charges

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey teenagers caught texting or posting sexually explicit photos online could avoid prosecution under a measure approved by a state Senate panel Monday.

The measure targets "sexting," the practice of sending explicit photos by cell phone, e-mail or Internet posts. It's a nationwide problem that has confounded parents, school administrators and law enforcement.

The bill that cleared the Senate committee would give first-time offenders the chance to complete an education program.

The bill was unanimously approved in the Assembly in March. It now heads for a vote in the full Senate.

Lawmakers took up the issue after a 14-year-old New Jersey girl allegedly posted nude pictures of herself on MySpace and was arrested on child pornography charges last summer. She eventually received probation and court-ordered counseling.

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