High school student who ‘illegally filmed a female teacher and his friend’s younger sister’... received protective measures, not criminal punishment

First offense, efforts to prevent recurrence, taking into account the fact that some victims were forgiven
Avoiding expulsion and ending with No. 8 being transferred to another school

There was a case in which a high school student who illegally filmed the bodies of a female teacher and his friend's younger sisters using his cell phone's camera function at school and a friend's house was sentenced to protective measures rather than criminal punishment.
 

It was confirmed that Cheongju District Court Juvenile Division Chief Judge Lee Hyeong-geol made a decision in January of this year to entrust Student A, who was accused of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (filming and distribution using cameras, etc.), to entrust him to guardian supervision (No. 1), order him to attend classes for 20 hours (No. 2), and order special education for his guardian.

Student A was accused of illegally filming the bodies of his friend's younger sisters using his cell phone around early February 2024.

At the time, student A was found to have committed this crime while staying at a friend's house after running away from home.

This incident was brought to light by a friend who discovered a large amount of illegal footage on Student A's cell phone, and as a result of the investigation, it was revealed that Student A had committed several crimes not only against his friend's younger siblings but also against the teacher.

Accordingly, the school held a school violence countermeasure review committee and gave student A a transfer (no. 8), special education (no. 5), and no contact (no. 2).

Student A, who was sent to the juvenile department, admitted all his crimes at trial and asked for leniency. Student A's legal representative emphasized, "Mr. A is a minor whose sexual notions have not yet been established, and he committed the crime without knowing the seriousness of the matter. As a first-time offender, Mr. A did not distribute the footage and is pledging not to reoffend in the future."

Chief Judge Lee Hyeong-geol, who heard this case, acknowledged that Mr. A committed a crime against a teacher and a young student, and that the crime was serious, but took into account various reasons comprehensively and decided on a relatively light punishment, such as entrusting the person to a guardian.

Attorney Lee Eun-seong of Daeryun Law Firm explained, "Sex crimes such as illegal filming are receiving heavy punishment due to the fact that they spread quickly once they are spread. Also, as the age of crime is lowering, there is a growing awareness that criminal punishment should be given even at a young age." He added, "It varies depending on the case, but in this case, taking into account the fact that it was a first offense, efforts to prevent recurrence, and forgiveness from some of the victims, we were able to receive protective measures instead of punishment."

Attorney Lee Eun-seong also said, “A quick and accurate response is needed from the beginning of the case,” adding, “If the charges are acknowledged, we must prepare sentencing materials as much as possible so that they can be used to advantage in court.”

handReporter Dong-wook (twson@lawleader.co.kr)

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High school student who ‘illegally filmed a female teacher and his friend’s younger sister’... Protective action, not criminal punishment (Shortcut)