All Laws Decoded

Revenge Porn Laws in New York

How New York law treats revenge porn (sharing intimate images): what is illegal, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, and the penalties, from the state code.

Short answer: Yes. Unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days): intentionally sharing or publishing an identifiable image of another person with intimate parts exposed or engaged in sexual conduct, intending to harm their emotional, financial or… N.Y. Penal Law § 245.15; N.Y. Civil Rights Law § 52-b

Revenge porn (sharing intimate images)Yes. Unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days): intentionally sharing or publishing an identifiable image of another person with intimate parts exposed or engaged in sexual conduct, intending to harm their emotional, financial or physical welfare, when the person knew or should have known the depicted person did not consent and expected the image to remain private. It also covers realistic digitally created or altered ('deepfake') images. The depicted person may sue for compensatory and punitive damages, an injunction, and attorney's fees, within three years of the sharing or one year from discovering it, whichever is later.
Civil action: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVR/52-B

More New York criminal law

FAQ

Is revenge porn illegal in New York?
Yes. Unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days): intentionally sharing or publishing an identifiable image of another person with intimate parts exposed or engaged in sexual conduct, intending to harm their emotional, financial or physical welfare, when the person knew or should have known the depicted person did not consent and expected the image to remain private. It also covers realistic digitally created or altered ('deepfake') images. The depicted person may sue for compensatory and punitive damages, an injunction, and attorney's fees, within three years of the sharing or one year from discovering it, whichever is later.
Can I get a court-appointed lawyer for revenge porn (sharing intimate images) in New York?
New York's rule on court-appointed lawyers: Each county (and New York City) must operate a plan for providing counsel to persons charged with a crime who are financially unable to obtain counsel, through a public defender, a legal aid bureau or society, a bar association assigned-counsel plan or conflict defender, or a combination (County Law § 722). Judges decide eligibility; providers often screen applicants and make recommendations. Under the statewide eligibility standards of the Office of Indigent Legal Services (issued under Executive Law § 832), income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines is one of four presumptions of eligibility, an applicant who is incarcerated, detained or confined to a mental health institution is presumptively eligible, and applicants above the income line are not automatically denied. ILS publishes an Assigned Counsel Eligibility Application Form. N.Y. County Law § 722; Executive Law § 832; ILS Eligibility Standards
What happens after an arrest for revenge porn (sharing intimate images) in New York?
How release before trial works in New York: The court issues a securing order after making an individualized determination about the risk that the principal will not return to court, and must explain its choice on the record or in writing. The court shall release the principal pending trial on the principal's own recognizance, unless it finds that release will not reasonably assure the principal's return to court; the court must consider the kind and degree of control or restriction necessary to reasonably assure the principal's return to court. Monetary bail or remand is available only for a 'qualifying offense' listed in § 510.10(4) (for example, any crime alleged to have caused the death of another person); for a qualifying offense the court may release on recognizance or non-monetary conditions, fix bail, or (for a felony) commit the principal to the sheriff. When monetary bail is authorized, the court must consider the principal's individual financial circumstances. If the principal is financially unable to obtain counsel, counsel shall be assigned. N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 510.10 What happens after an arrest.
Can a conviction for revenge porn (sharing intimate images) be removed from my record in New York?
Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See New York expungement and record sealing rules.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.