Montgomery County Voyeurism Lawyer
Voyeurism is the legal term for the act of observing or recording another person without that person’s consent for lewd or indecent intent while they are in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. A voyeurism conviction could lead to large fines and lengthy prison sentences. Furthermore, this type of charge could negatively impact your career and reputation. Consulting a defense attorney as soon as possible could mean the difference between dropped or lessened sentence or significant criminal and personal consequences.
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. is a firm that believes that everyone deserves strong representation that gives them a fair chance. Prosecutors have specific sets of facts and circumstances that they must prove to obtain a conviction. At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C., we help you understand the charges against you, identify the prosecution’s claims, and build a comprehensive and personalized defense that protects your rights and best interest.
How Is Voyeurism Defined in Pennsylvania?
Voyeurism is a type of sex crime involving the observation or recording of an unsuspecting person who may be undressing, naked, or engaging in a sexual act or other activities that the person expects to be private. Generally, the victim is a stranger to the perpetrator, but a victim can be someone the voyeur knows.
Voyeurism is a sex crime in many states, including Pennsylvania, but in others, it is prosecuted under statutes that address other crimes, such as trespassing. Most sex crimes (such as sexual abuse) involve the act of physical touching, but voyeurism is a type of abuse that does involve physical contact.
The crime of voyeurism does not have to be committed outside the property of the perpetrator or in public. A landlord or homeowner can commit voyeurism by installing cameras in their own home to photograph or videotape tenants. People may spy on and record their roommates while they undress, use the bathroom, take showers, or engage in intimate activity while under the reasonable expectation of privacy. A person may violate another person’s privacy and the law, whether it occurs in a public space or their own home.
What Is Video Voyeurism?
Video voyeurism is a crime that is committed with a recording device such as a camera or phone. This type of crime may also involve other criminal statutes, such as unauthorized use of a person’s image or invasion of privacy. Additionally, if the perpetrator sells the images or videos without the consent of the person in those images, they may face other charges as well.
Federal privacy laws do not protect voyeurism victims from having their photographs displayed on the internet. However, state laws offer protection or a civil cause of action for invasion of privacy. To prove a civil case for invasion or violation of privacy based on a type of intrusion, a person would need to establish the following:
- There was an invasion or violation of privacy.
- It is an invasion of privacy that would highly offend a reasonable person under similar circumstances.
- The person had a reasonable expectation of privacy, considering the circumstances.
- The person suffered quantifiable damages because of this violation or invasion of privacy.
Photographing or filming a person without their consent, without any sexual intent, may not be considered voyeurism, but it still comes with its own legal complications. Facing federal or state penalties for voyeurism could completely derail someone’s life. It is critical to speak with a skilled and knowledgeable voyeurism attorney who gives you the best chance at a favorable resolution for your case.
Is Voyeurism the Same as Stalking in Pennsylvania?
No, voyeurism and stalking are not the same crime. Stalking involves a pattern of behavior that the perpetrator intentionally does intend to annoy, harass, or scare another person. Stalking relies on the pattern of behavior, the fact that it occurred multiple times. Stalking is unwanted behavior that continuously follows the victim and is done makes the victim afraid that the stalker’s behavior could result in some form of harm (injury or death) to the victim or their loved ones.
In contrast, voyeur’s do not often wish to be caught or discovered at all by their victims. Furthermore, a person can be charged with voyeurism based on one instance of illegal behavior; it can be an isolated incident. It is possible for stalking cases to involve elements of voyeurism (for instance, a person repeatedly engaging in voyeurism directed toward the same person), but they are two separate types of crime.
Is Having a Nanny Cam in Your Home Considered Voyeurism?
The term “nanny cam” often refers to small hidden cameras used in homes for the purpose of monitoring the interaction between a sitter or nanny and the children. It is not a criminal act to record the happenings inside one’s own home. However, audio recordings are not permitted in multiple states.
Recording a domestic employee may be considered a criminal act if the recording device is placed in an area of the home where there is an expectation of privacy, such as the bathroom.
Contact a Talented Montgomery County Voyeurism Lawyer
Facing voyeurism charges can be terrifying and overwhelming. Fortunately, you do not need to do it alone. Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. is here to ensure that you get fair treatment and reach the best possible results for your case. Our firm has over 65 years of experience helping protect the rights and best interests of our clients regardless of how complicated their cases may seem.
The legal team at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. possess the necessary skills, resources, and experience to approach your legal problems with the time and attention you deserve. We combine the resources of a big firm and the personalized attention of a small firm to provide a strong representation for our clients. Schedule a consultation today at (215) 822-7575 or complete our contact form.
