[watzizname]

His possessing and making (burning to disc is classed as making) indecent images of children was bad enough, but he also distributed said images with malicious intent.

The fact is that if Mr Weiner had succeeded, the accused wouldn't have just gone to prison and had to remain on the sex offenders register for 5 years or so, he would probably have remained on various databases and suffered an unwarranted stigma for the rest of his life.

Social services would also be informed, meaning he wouldn't be allowed to be around any child or vulnerable person unless another adult was present, so thats his career and home life destroyed.

Any idea that Mr Weiner might not have considered "the big picture" and just how seriously it would have affected his victim is irrelevant in the eyes of the law..
something about how ignorance of the law is not a defense..

I don't think 12 years was too harsh a punishment..