The popular belief is that the practice of sexting, or sending or transmitting of nude, seminude and explicit sexual images via electronic communication devices, is widespread among teenagers. However, a new study that has just been published in the Journal Pediatrics indicates that that is far from the truth. According to the study, the number of teenagers who indulge in sexting- a practice which could actually place them at risk of being charged with sex crimes in California - is quite low.

The study found that 1 in 10 minors between the age of 10 and 17 have sent or received nude, semi nude or sexually explicit images or other material on their cell phones over the past year. According to previous studies, the number of minors engaging in sexting was as high as 1 in 5. The problem of sexting involving teenagers has been painted by many as something of a national crisis, especially after a series of incidents in which teenagers, who were found with sexually explicit material on their cell phones, were charged with sex crimes. According to this latest study, however, the practice of sexting may be much more common among adults than teenagers.

Overall, according to the study, 149 youths or just 9.6% of the people in the survey admitted that they had sent or received sexually explicit material on their cell phones at least once over the past year. Among those who had indulged in sexting, just over 2% said that they had sent or received messages that included pictures of themselves. About 7% admitted that they had received sexually explicit content on their cell phones from someone else.

As any San Diego criminal defense lawyer knows, the intent behind sexting involving most teens is not malicious or criminal in nature. Many cases where teenagers are found exchanging sexually explicit material, involve pranks, an exchange of content between 2 teenagers in a relationship, flirtatious gestures or something equally harmless.

A former San Diego Police Department officer, who was accused of demanding sexual favors from women he pulled over for DUI and other offenses, has been found guilty on multiple counts.

The former cop, Anthony Arevalos was convicted of 12 counts, including 4 misdemeanors. The charges against him included assault and battery by a police officer, assault and battery by an officer asking for a bribe, and others. However, he was acquitted of other felony charges.

Some of the woman who accused him testified in the trial of the San Diego County Superior Court. According to one of the women, she was pulled over by Arevalos, who asked her to take a breath test. The woman registered a .09% on the test. Later, she was asked by the police officer to drive to a nearby 7-11, where he allegedly propositioned her, informing her that he would make the DUI go away, if she did what he asked her to do. The woman testified in court that Arevalos then asked to see her breasts, and touched her genitals. The next day, the woman reported the incident to police.

Arevalos is due to be sentenced on December 9. He's looking at a possible prison sentence of 10 years and 4 months, and will be required to serve at least half of that time. San Diego criminal defense lawyers also expect that Arevalos will be required to register as a sex offender.

Some of the women who accused Arevalos have already filed a claim against the city, stemming from their treatment by the former cop. During the trial, it became more and more evident that other officers in the San Diego Police Department had suspected that Arevalos’ conduct was not exactly above board, but failed to report this to higher-ups. The Department has assured people that it will investigate this matter.