Christie Approves Law Making 'Upskirting' A Crime In New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie has signed into law a measure that makes "upskirting'' a criminal offense.
Christie approved the law on Thursday that criminalizes the surreptitious recording or photographing of a person's undergarments under the state's invasion of privacy laws.
The measure was previously passed by lawmakers.
It makes the act of publishing "upskirt'' images a third-degree offense punishable with up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Recording the images is a fourth-degree offense with up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Christie says he signed the measure to target perpetrators "of a perverse and growing form of pornography that victimizes vulnerable women and children in a matter of seconds.''
In 2014, New Jersey Sen. Tom Kean, Jr. launched an investigation into the state's privacy laws in regard to "upskirting" after a judge ruled that a man who secretly snapped cellphone photos up women's skirts while riding the subway in Boston was protected.
The Massachusetts state legislature worked swiftly to make the practice of secretly taking photos of strangers' private parts illegal.
In New York, "upskirting" is punishable with up to four years in prison, and a potential sex offender registration.
If an image is shared online, the perpetrator could also be charged with a second felony crime.
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