How Long Does a Revenge Porn Case Usually Take?

Timelines Depend on Many Factors

When private images or videos are shared without your consent, you want answers right away. You want to know who has seen them, how to make them disappear, and how long it will take to feel safe again. One of the first questions victims ask us is: What’s the timeline for a revenge porn case?

The truth is, there’s no single number that applies to everyone. A straightforward case may end in a few months. A complex one can stretch well past a year. The length depends on many things: the defendant’s behavior, the strength of the evidence, the court calendar, and even the strategy you and your lawyer choose.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our sexual abuse attorneys explain those possibilities upfront. We don’t make empty promises. Instead, we prepare you for both quick resolutions and longer battles, so you’re never caught off guard.

Average Length of Civil Revenge Porn Cases in New York

Civil cases in New York often move faster than criminal ones, though they can still vary widely. On average, uncontested civil revenge porn cases run six to twelve months. If the defendant doesn’t file challenges and the court moves quickly, you may see relief sooner. But when the other side fights hard, filing motions to dismiss, refusing discovery, dragging their feet, the process slows.

Civil cases are typically filed under New York Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51. Victims can also point to Penal Law § 245.15, which criminalizes the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, to show the seriousness of the conduct. Importantly, judges in civil cases can act before trial. Temporary injunctions are available, forcing immediate removal of content from websites or platforms. That’s especially critical in social media revenge porn cases where every extra day online multiplies the harm.

So while the final case may take months, survivors often see important relief far earlier.

How Settlements Can Speed Resolution

Not every case goes all the way to trial. In fact, many resolve through settlement, and settlement almost always means a shorter timeline. Defendants settle because the evidence against them is overwhelming, or because they fear the public attention a trial brings.

Settlements can be powerful:

• They cut down on time. Trials might take more than a year, but settlements can end disputes in a matter of weeks or months.
• They give survivors more say. You can negotiate terms beyond money, such as permanent deletion of files, or strict non-disclosure agreements.
• They reduce exposure. Trials are public. Settlements are often private, which means you don’t have to relive trauma in open court.

At Horn Wright, LLP, we push for fair settlements when they truly serve our clients. We don’t let the other side use settlement as an excuse to pay less than what justice demands.

Why Court Backlogs May Cause Delays

Even the strongest case can hit delays, and many of them are out of your control. New York courts, especially in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, are overloaded with cases. That backlog can push hearings back by months.

The pandemic worsened those logjams. Virtual hearings have helped, but the pace is still slower than anyone wants. And in adult website revenge porn cases, extra time may be needed to subpoena records from hosting platforms. Those companies don’t always cooperate quickly, and waiting for responses can drag out proceedings.

While delays are frustrating, they don’t leave you powerless. Judges often grant temporary injunctions or protective orders that stop the harm while you wait for the case to conclude. You may be waiting for final judgment, but you don’t have to keep suffering in the meantime.

Unlike New Hampshire, New York Provides More Streamlined Filing Options

The state where you file makes a big difference. In New Hampshire, revenge porn victims face fewer remedies and stricter standards. Courts are less likely to issue early injunctions, and damages for emotional harm can be harder to win.

New York offers much stronger options. Victims here can:

• File civil suits under Civil Rights Law §§ 50 and 51 for damages and removal.
• Press criminal charges under Penal Law § 245.15.
• Seek emergency injunctions almost immediately after filing.

That layered system gives victims a way to act quickly. Even if the lawsuit takes time, you can often secure removal orders or protective relief within weeks. For victims whose cases involve both states, say, if the offender lives in New Hampshire but the content was shared widely in New York, attorneys often argue jurisdiction here, so survivors benefit from New York’s broader protections.

When to Expect Resolution After Filing

Filing a lawsuit sets the legal process in motion. Once the complaint is filed and served, the defendant gets a chance to respond. Then comes discovery, where both sides exchange evidence. After that, motions may be filed, settlement talks may take place, or the case moves toward trial.

Here’s what timelines often look like in New York:

• Cases resolved through early settlement: three to six months.
• Moderately contested cases: nine to twelve months.
• Highly contested trials: twelve to twenty-four months.

These ranges are not promises, but they give a sense of what’s typical. Some survivors see relief quickly when evidence is undeniable. Others must wait while the defendant tries every tactic to stall. Knowing the likely range makes the wait easier to manage.

How Legal Strategy Influences Timelines

The way your attorney handles your case has a huge impact on how long it lasts. Some survivors want speed above all else. Others want to build a stronger case, even if it means more time in court.

Take blackmail revenge porn cases as an example. Offenders sometimes threaten to post intimate images unless you give them money, favors, or silence. In those situations, lawyers often push aggressively for emergency injunctions and punitive damages. Acting quickly shortens the early stages of litigation and keeps the harm from escalating. On the other hand, cases built for trial with extensive expert testimony, workplace impact claims, or reputational harm arguments may stretch longer, but they often deliver higher compensation.

The best strategy depends on your priorities. A good attorney knows when to push hard for speed and when to hold steady for maximum justice.

Horn Wright, LLP, Helps Clients Navigate Case Timelines

The thought of spending months, even years, in court can feel unbearable. That’s why survivors need lawyers who don’t just file lawsuits but also guide them through the process step by step. Our sexual abuse attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, explain the likely timeline upfront, fight to minimize delays, and pursue fast relief wherever possible.

We’ve represented clients in cases involving workplace revenge porn, adult site postings, social media exposure, and blackmail threats. Each has its own timeline, but we know how to move cases forward without letting defendants stall. If you’re ready to work with a firm consistently ranked among the nation’s top law practices, we’ll help you from the first filing through the final judgment, making sure no time is wasted and no step is overlooked.