Q: Can I get in legal trouble for happening upon illegal images on a public forum?
Through facebook I heard about a website that posts intimate photos women have sent in confidence. This is a revenge porn site. I searched this public forum to make sure my photos were not on there. When searching for myself I saw what looked to be photos of underaged. I did not click these images, download or purchase. I filled a report on this site. I am worried I can get in trouble for accidentally seeing these disturbing images.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
In general, accidentally coming across illegal content while browsing the internet does not typically lead to legal trouble, especially since you immediately reported what you found. The key factors that matter legally are intent and actions taken - you were searching for legitimate reasons, did not seek out illegal material, and took appropriate steps by reporting it.
Your quick action to report the disturbing content actually demonstrates good citizenship and concern for potential victims. Taking screenshots or downloading such images would have been problematic, but from what you've described, you avoided any actions that could be construed as possession or distribution.
If you remain concerned, documenting your experience might be helpful - noting when you encountered the content, what steps you took afterward, and keeping a copy of any confirmation of your report. While this situation is understandably distressing, your appropriate response to encountering this material significantly reduces any potential legal concerns. Remember that laws exist primarily to prosecute those who intentionally create, distribute, or seek out such content, not those who stumble upon it accidentally.
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
