{"id":374976,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-child-pornography-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-04-07T15:26:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:26:55","slug":"new-jersey-child-pornography-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/new-jersey-law\/new-jersey-child-pornography-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey Child Pornography Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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New Jersey Child Pornography Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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New Jersey<\/span> child pornography laws<\/span> criminalize the possession, production, and distribution of material depicting sexual exploitation<\/span> or abuse of a child<\/span> under 18. Penalties vary by offense degree and include prison sentences<\/span> from three to 20 years, fines up to $200,000, and mandatory sex offender<\/span> registration<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

While there are strict federal laws<\/span> prohibiting the possession, production, and distribution of child pornography<\/span>, there are also state laws against this behavior. Every state, including the state of <\/span>New Jersey<\/span>, has specific child pornography laws<\/span>.<\/p>\n

When compared to other states, New Jersey<\/span> law<\/span> enforcement<\/span> agencies<\/span> have dedicated significant resources toward combating child sex crimes<\/span>. The number of child pornography arrests in New Jersey<\/span> has increased 74% since 2020. The penalties for the possession of child pornography<\/span> are some of the harshest in the country and include lengthy prison sentences<\/span>, hefty fines, and mandatory sex offender<\/span> registration<\/span><\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article explores and explains New Jersey<\/span>‘s child pornography laws<\/span>, including the penalties and defenses to this crime. If you’re facing child pornography charges<\/span>, consider contacting a New Jersey<\/span> criminal defense<\/span> attorney<\/span><\/u><\/a> to discuss your options. They can explain the charges against you and help to build a defense based on the unique facts of your case.<\/p>\n

How Does New Jersey<\/span> Law<\/span> Define Child Pornography?<\/h2>\n

It is illegal under New Jersey<\/span> law<\/span> to possess, view, distribute, share, receive, produce, or allow a child to engage in child pornography<\/u><\/a>. New Jersey<\/span> lawmakers treat child pornography as a form of child sexual exploitation<\/span><\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

With near-global use of the internet today, lawmakers have amended child pornography laws<\/span> to address the creation, viewing, and distribution of pornographic material involving a child. These laws also recognize the dangers of activities such as “sexting<\/span>” and file sharing<\/span>.<\/p>\n

New Jersey<\/span>\u2019s statutes<\/a> refer to child pornography as an “item depicting the sexual exploitation<\/span> or abuse of a child<\/span>.” This is further defined as any film, video, photograph, image, or electronic\/digital recording that depicts a child taking part in or simulating a prohibited sexual act<\/span>, or portrays a child in a sexually suggestive manner.<\/p>\n

The following are considered prohibited sexual acts<\/span> in child pornography cases<\/span> under New Jersey<\/span> law<\/span>:<\/p>\n