Only the state of New Jersey could spawn a law - dubbed the so-called "revenge porn" law - meant to stop people from spreading sexually explicit images of other people.
But, questionable nature or necessity of the law aside, it's probably for the better that it exists if it keeps certain instances, like the one involving New York Jets linebacker, Jermaine Cunningham, from happening in the future.
Cunningham, a back-up outside linebacker for the Jets, sidelined by a torn Achilles tendon suffered in August, was originally arrested on Dec. 29 at his Lafayette Avenue apartment in Summit, New Jersey, under suspicion of spreading sexual images and illegally transporting a handgun police found in his Audi, according to the Asbury Park Press.
"Prosecutors allege Cunningham violated a law that forbids disclosing photos or videos without the consent of someone 'whose intimate parts are exposed' or who is engaged in a sexual act. They said the woman and Cunningham lived together. Authorities have not said how or where the images were shared."
He was eventually charged - along with criminal mischief for allegedly destroying clothes - per a report from Tom Haydon of NJ.com.
Cunningham plead not guilty to the "revenge porn" charges in a hearing Jan. 7, and vowed to fight the charges. He is again scheduled to appear in court on March 5.
Carrie Goldberg, a Brooklyn lawyer who specializes in sexual privacy invasion issues, said, per Haydon, that "revenge porn" isn't really an accurate term for the law.
"Though often commonly called 'revenge porn,' Goldberg says that's a misnomer catch-all phrase referring to any disclosure of sexual pictures without the person's consent," Haydon wrote.
Some, including Mary Anne Franks, a University of Miami Law School associate professor, prefer the term, "non-consensual pornography."
Sixteen states now have laws outlawing the distribution of such images, with 13 doing so in only the last 18 months.
As for Cunningham, since he has no prior criminal record, the judge declined to set bail.
The 26-year-old, fifth-year pro is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent, and isn't expected to return to the Jets next season.
