Sexting Laws in Oregon (2026): Fines, Felonies, and Real Consequences

Most people think sexting is just a private thing between two people. They assume it’s no big deal as long as both people are adults. But Oregon’s laws are stricter than most people realize. And the consequences can change your life forever.

This guide breaks down what you need to know about sexting laws in Oregon in 2026. Whether you’re a teen, a parent, or just curious, this is worth reading.

What Is Sexting?

Sexting means sending or receiving sexually explicit images, videos, or messages through a phone or the internet. That includes texts, DMs, emails, and apps like Snapchat or Instagram.

Pretty much everyone understands what sexting is. But not everyone understands when it becomes a crime. That’s where things get serious.

Does Oregon Have a Specific Sexting Law?

Here’s something that surprises a lot of people. Oregon does not have a law specifically written for sexting. There is no statute that says the word “sexting” and lists what’s allowed or not.

Sound complicated? It’s actually not. Oregon handles sexting cases under existing laws. That includes child pornography laws, revenge porn laws, and online solicitation statutes. In some ways, that makes the penalties even harsher.

Sexting Between Adults

If you are 18 or older and you sext with another adult who is also 18 or older, and both of you are okay with it, you are generally not breaking Oregon law. Because the Oregon age of consent is 18, people who have reached the legal age of consent are legally allowed to participate in sexting.

That said, there is one major exception. More on that in a moment.

Sexting Involving Minors

Okay, pause. This is the most important section in this article.

In Oregon, sexting is illegal under the state’s child pornography laws. That applies to anyone under 18, no matter what. It doesn’t matter if the teen sent the image themselves. It doesn’t matter if both people are teenagers. It can still be a serious crime.

Nude selfies taken by a child in Oregon constitute child pornography. Yes, even a teen taking a photo of themselves. Oregon courts have addressed this directly.

Most people don’t realize how strict these laws are. An Oregon appeals court even handled a case where a teenager was charged as an adult for convincing his girlfriend to send him nude photos. An Oregon court highlighted this in State v. Carey-Martin (2018), a case involving teen sexting where the law covered a teenage defendant convincing his girlfriend to send nude and sexually explicit selfies.

Adults Sending Explicit Content to Minors

If you’re an adult and you send sexually explicit material to a minor, you are committing a crime. An adult who engages in sexting with a minor can be charged with the crime of transmitting sexual material to a minor, which is a Class C felony. That means up to five years in prison and fines up to $125,000.

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That’s not a slap on the wrist. That’s life-changing.

Adults Receiving or Sharing Images of Minors

What if someone sends you an explicit image of a minor and you didn’t ask for it? You still need to delete it immediately. Keeping it can be a crime.

Knowingly possessing, controlling, or purchasing child pornography is a second-degree Class C felony under ORS 163.686. Sharing or distributing those images is even worse. Under ORS 163.684, creating, distributing, or financing child pornography is a Class B felony.

Honestly, this is the part most people miss. Receiving is not the same as being innocent.

What Are the Penalties?

Let’s talk numbers. The penalties in Oregon are serious. Here is what you could face depending on the crime.

Transmitting sexual material to a minor is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $125,000. Possessing sexually explicit material of a minor is also a Class C felony with the same penalties. Producing or distributing sexually explicit material of a minor is a Class B felony, punishable by up to ten years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Wait, it gets worse.

Oregon reserves the harshest penalty, a Class A felony, for acts that involve persuading or coercing a minor to participate in sexually explicit conduct for purposes of observing or recording it. A conviction carries up to a 20-year prison sentence and a $375,000 fine. The mandatory minimum sentence is 70 months in prison.

Think of it like this: a Class A felony in Oregon for this kind of crime is not something a good lawyer can make disappear. The mandatory minimum means a judge cannot give you less than that prison time even if they wanted to.

Sex Offender Registration

Here’s where things get really serious. An adult or minor treated as an adult must register as a sex offender if convicted of any of these felonies. Sex offender registration can affect where you live, where you work, and how your community sees you for years.

For a minor adjudicated delinquent in juvenile court, the court must conduct a sex offender determination hearing to decide whether the minor must register.

What About Teens Sexting Each Other?

You’re not alone if this question is confusing. A lot of parents and teens ask it.

In Oregon, even teen-to-teen sexting can be illegal if both or either person is under 18. The law does not have a carve-out that says “it’s okay if you’re both teenagers.” Teens convicted of Class A or Class B felonies must register as sex offenders.

Oregon permits youth age 15 and older to be treated as adults if the youth faces charges for a Class A or Class B felony. That means a teenager could end up in adult court facing adult consequences.

Oregon does not have a diversion program specifically for teen sexting. With no diversion program for teens, sexting youths are at risk of facing serious criminal charges.

Revenge Porn Laws in Oregon

Okay, now let’s talk about a different situation. What if two consenting adults send each other explicit images, but later one person shares those images without permission? That is called revenge porn. Oregon takes it very seriously.

Oregon’s revenge porn law has been around since 2015. It has been updated multiple times since then. The charge of unlawful dissemination of an intimate image is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $6,250. It becomes a Class C felony if the violator is a repeat offender.

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That’s not all. The law also allows victims to file a civil lawsuit for special damages for emotional distress and statutory damages up to $5,000. The victim can also sue for an injunction to prevent the media from being seen.

Big Update: Oregon’s New 2026 Deepfake Law

Hold on, this part is important.

Oregon passed House Bill 2299 in 2025. It went into effect on January 1, 2026. This is a major update to the revenge porn law.

Starting January 1, 2026, the definition of intimate images includes images created by artificial intelligence, or AI-generated deepfakes. The law creates first- and second-degree offenses and elevates the crime to a felony for repeated violations.

The law expands the definition of an “image” to include a digitally created, manipulated, or altered depiction that is reasonably realistic. The defendant must intend to harass, humiliate, or injure a victim.

This means someone can face criminal charges for creating a fake explicit image of a real person using AI. Even if no real photo was ever taken. Personally, I think this law makes a lot of sense. Technology changed. The law had to keep up.

Oregon’s Department of Justice reported a significant increase in reports of sextortion of minors in recent years. Tips related to sextortion increased by 857% from nearly 200 in 2020 to nearly 2,000 in 2024.

That is a staggering jump. And it shows why these laws matter.

Online Solicitation of a Minor

This is another law you need to know about. Wondering if this applies to you? If you’ve ever messaged a minor with sexual intent online, it does.

Under ORS 163.432, “online sexual corruption of a child in the second degree” happens when an adult uses an electronic device or online communication to solicit sexual conduct from a child with the intent of arousal or sexual gratification. This is a Class C felony. It escalates into “online corruption in the first degree,” a Class B felony, if the accused takes a substantial step toward physically meeting with a child.

Basically, sending a minor a sexual message is already a felony. Trying to meet them in person bumps it up to an even more serious charge.

The Federal Layer

Here is something many people overlook. Oregon’s state laws are not the only laws that apply.

Federal law also makes it a crime to possess, distribute, or produce explicit images of minors. Possession of explicit images of an underage person is also illegal under federal law. Federal charges can carry even longer prison sentences. In some cases, federal sentences can range from 10 years to life.

State and federal charges can happen at the same time. You could face both.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Kids

Now here’s where things get practical. You’ve got the information. Let’s talk about what to actually do.

If you’re an adult, the rules are simple. Never send or receive explicit images involving anyone under 18. If someone sends you an explicit image of a minor, delete it immediately and report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at CyberTipline.org.

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If you’re a parent, talk to your kids about these laws. Not as a lecture, but as a conversation. One parent in Oregon shared that their child was harassed by classmates using fake intimate images, and they were told there was no path to justice under previous Oregon law. The new 2026 law changed that. But prevention is still the best protection.

If you are a teen who has already sent or received explicit images, talk to a trusted adult right away. Do not delete evidence of any threats or coercion. And know that help is available.

If you have been a victim of revenge porn or deepfake images in Oregon, you can report it to local law enforcement or contact the Oregon Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sexting between two teens in Oregon legal?

No. Explicit images of anyone under 18 are considered child pornography under Oregon law, even if both people are teenagers.

What if I received an explicit image of a minor without asking for it?

Delete it immediately. Knowingly keeping it can still lead to criminal charges. If someone sent it to you as part of harassment or abuse, report it.

Can I go to jail for sharing my ex’s private photos in Oregon?

Yes. Sharing intimate images without consent is a Class A misdemeanor and becomes a felony for repeat offenses. You can also be sued in civil court.

Are AI-generated explicit deepfakes illegal in Oregon?

Yes, as of January 1, 2026. Oregon’s updated law now criminalizes AI-generated intimate images distributed without consent, with the same penalties as real photos.

What should I do if I’m being pressured or blackmailed over explicit images?

Do not pay. Report it to local police and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. This is called sextortion and it is a serious crime.

Final Thoughts

Oregon’s sexting laws are no joke. There is no specific “sexting law,” but that does not mean anything goes. Child pornography statutes, revenge porn laws, and online solicitation laws all apply. And in 2026, AI-generated deepfakes are now fully covered too.

The bottom line: if a minor is involved in any way, you could face felony charges and sex offender registration. If explicit images are shared without someone’s consent, you could face jail and fines. And if you create fake explicit images of someone with AI, that is now a crime in Oregon too.

Now you know the rules. Stay smart, stay safe, and if you or someone you know is facing charges, contact an Oregon criminal defense attorney immediately.