A.R.S. § 8-309: Minor Sexting Law
Unlawful use of an electronic communication device by a minor; classification; definitions
What are Arizona's sexting laws for minors?
In Arizona, it is illegal for a juvenile to knowingly or intentionally use an electronic device to send or show an image of a minor that contains explicit sexual material, or to possess such an image that was sent to them electronically. Sending or showing it to one person, or possessing it, is a petty offense, while sending or showing it to more than one person is a class 3 misdemeanor. Possession is not a violation if the juvenile did not ask for the image and took reasonable steps to delete it or report it to a parent, guardian, school official, or law enforcement, and any repeat violation after an earlier adjudication or completed diversion program is a class 2 misdemeanor.
Full statute text
Official text last checked against azleg.gov:
8-309. Unlawful use of an electronic communication device by a minor; classification; definitions
A. It is unlawful for a juvenile to intentionally or knowingly use an electronic communication device to transmit or display a visual depiction of a minor that depicts explicit sexual material.
B. It is unlawful for a juvenile to intentionally or knowingly possess a visual depiction of a minor that depicts explicit sexual material and that was transmitted to the juvenile through the use of an electronic communication device.
C. It is not a violation of subsection B of this section if all of the following apply:
1. The juvenile did not solicit the visual depiction.
2. The juvenile took reasonable steps to destroy or eliminate the visual depiction or report the visual depiction to the juvenile's parent, guardian, school official or law enforcement official.
D. A violation of subsection A of this section is a petty offense if the juvenile transmits or displays the visual depiction to one other person. A violation of subsection A of this section is a class 3 misdemeanor if the juvenile transmits or displays the visual depiction to more than one other person.
E. A violation of subsection B of this section is a petty offense.
F. Any violation of this section that occurs after adjudication for a prior violation of this section or after completion of a diversion program as a result of a referral or petition charging a violation of this section is a class 2 misdemeanor.
G. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Electronic communication device" has the same meaning prescribed in section 13-3560.
2. "Explicit sexual material" means material that depicts human genitalia or that depicts nudity, sexual activity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement or sadomasochistic abuse as defined in section 13-3501.
3. "Visual depiction" has the same meaning prescribed in section 13-3551.
Drafted by AI from the official text and checked sentence by sentence against azleg.gov. ClearStatute is run by David Bartlett, who is not an attorney. Legal information, not legal advice — consult a licensed attorney for your situation.