Transmission of Child Sexual Abuse Material
Knowingly or with reason to know transmitting child sexual abuse material by electronic device or equipment.
Florida Statute
§ 847.0137
Transmission of child sexual abuse material by electronic device or equipment prohibited; penalties
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 13, 2026
Current provision effective: July 1, 2026
Quick Summary
Confirm transmission, the statutory Florida jurisdictional track, and knowledge or reasonable-knowledge that the material was child sexual abuse material.
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1OR — Alternative
At least one jurisdictional track must be proven
The defendant transmitted child sexual abuse material while in Florida, or from outside Florida to a person in Florida.
Plain language: Select the applicable Florida jurisdictional track.
- Element 2AND — Required
All of the following must be proven
The defendant knew or reasonably should have known that they transmitted child sexual abuse material.
Plain language: The statute uses a knowledge or reasonable-knowledge standard.
Jury Instructions
Jury Instructions
Instruction 11.20
Transmission of Child Sexual Abuse Material by Electronic Device or Equipment
Covers section 847.0137(2) and (3); use the current instruction because the statute was amended in 2026.
View Official InstructionVerified against the official instruction source: September 13, 2026
Important Definitions
Important Definitions
Transmit
Sending and causing delivery, including providing access for receiving and causing delivery, of an image, information, or data through any medium or network using electronic equipment or a device; the statute also covers certain cloud-storage links and credentials.
Child Sexual Abuse Material
A term defined by section 847.001 and used in this statute; consult the current statutory definition and the applicable standard instruction.
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Quick Reference
Confirm transmission, the applicable Florida jurisdictional track, and knowledge or reasonable knowledge that the material was child sexual abuse material.
Classification and Mandatory Minimum
Both jurisdictional tracks are second-degree felonies. For an offender 18 or older, the statute generally requires a five-year mandatory minimum, subject to the statutory written-findings exception.
Good-Faith Reporting Exception
The statute bars prosecution for specified good-faith reporting, cooperation, evidence preservation, or lawful-removal communications to law enforcement, a prosecuting authority, or an authorized forensic examiner.