Cyberstalking Charges

Cyberstalking charges are charges for the act of using the internet or email to stalk a victim. Stalking is defined as conduct directed towards a target (the victim) by a person (the stalker) with the intent that the victim will regard the conduct as a threat of bodily injury or death. Laws addressing cyberstalking are relatively new.

What are the elements of cyberstalking charges?

In some instances, a mere threat is not sufficient to bring a charge of stalking. Many states require a stalker to take some type of action to carry out a threat before they will consider a charge of stalking. Many prosecutors have been able to prove this action by showing how a defendant physically followed a victim, something that is more difficult to prove with a cyberstalking threat.

Even though states have tried to modify their stalking statutes, the passage of new cyberstalking codes has resurrected many of the problems associated with regular stalking offenses. Most states that have enacted cyberstalking laws do not require an overt act or conduct to support a cyberstalking charge. As a result, many current cyberstalking statutes allow defendants to be convicted on the basis of words and speech alone.

Some of these statutes have come under scrutiny, most have survived by demonstrating a significant need to regulate this type of threatening or harassing speech. Defendants who think that they will avoid prosecution because they never physically encounter their victims need to understand all of the issues and consequences associated with cyberstalking.

Not all states have enacted cyberstalking laws. Those that do use a variety of definitions for cyberstalking. Generally, though, cyberstalking is considered to be conduct or communications through electronic devices intended to distress or harass another person. It can be over sites like Facebook and Twitter or through emails or instant messages, to name only a few possibilities.

The intent of the communication is the main factor that separates cyberstalking from cyberbullying. The intent required in cyberstalking is to cause real fear of harm to a victim. In cyberbullying, the intent is usually to harass a victim and cause public humiliation, not fear of harm.

Can a misdemeanor become a felony?

Cyberstalking statutes usually classify it as a misdemeanor offense. However,

cyberstalking charges can be raised to felony-level offenses by other factors.

For example, in Florida, a defendant who communicates a credible threat of bodily injury or who directs the communications to a minor under 16 years of age would face a third-degree felony punishment.

A misdemeanor offense is punishable by up to a year in jail, while a third-degree felony can result in incarceration for up to ten years. In most states, if a defendant combines the threat with some actual harm to a victim, then the range of punishment and charges could be even higher. Aggravating circumstances significantly impact a defendant’s punishment range.

How is the identity of a perpetrator proven in cyberstalking cases?

A major issue in any cyberstalking case is proving identity or the perpetrator. Many individuals do not use their real identities while communicating on the internet. Everyone from law enforcement to the victim may be fairly certain who made the threats, but securing actual proof has been an issue. Some victims are fortunate because many stalkers say personal things or post images of themselves, which helps the prosecution pursue charges more quickly.

Finding an anonymous cyber-stalker is more challenging. Many law enforcement agencies are obtaining equipment or training to identify online stalkers. Agencies that don’t have the resources to find cyberstalkers are turning to federal agencies for help in more difficult cases of cyberstalking.

How is the location of the parties involved important?

Even if a law enforcement agency is able to identify a cyberstalker, the next issue may be where to file the charges. By the very nature of cyberstalking, a victim can reside in one state, while being stalked online by a person in another state. Most states have venue statutes that require a case to be filed where the actual offense was committed. This is tricky when victims and defendants live in different states.

To eliminate this problem, many states have adopted venue statutes that permit a case to be filed wherever the victim or the defendant resides. This can produce odd results. A defendant technically can be prosecuted for cyberstalking, even when the home state doesn’t have a cyberstalking law. In cases where a law enforcement agency can’t decide where to file a cyberstalking case, many will lean on federal agencies to pick up charges because of the interstate nature of the communication.

The other major issue in a cyberstalking charge is deciding how much stalking communication is enough to justify the charge. Many states only have a general requirement of repeated comments. With that requirement, one event could support a charge, but most agencies try to develop proof of other incidents or a repeating pattern.

What are penalties of cyber stalking?

Many stalkers feel free to engage in cyberstalking because their states don’t have a specific statute on cyberstalking. They should recognize, however, that other serious charges for convictions could apply. Instead of carving out a new cyberstalking offense, some states have modified their harassment, stalking, or online solicitation statutes to criminalize the conduct found in other stalking statutes and establish harsher punishments.

For example, Texas does not have a statute entitled cyberstalking, but many types of online stalking charges involving teenagers are prosecuted through another statute called online solicitation of a minor. Regardless of how the charge is prosecuted, cyberstalking situations result in stiff penalties and can have other collateral consequences.

Cyberstalking can result in penalties beyond time in jail. If the stalking is sexual in nature, it could result in a conviction that requires a defendant to register as a sex offender. Many apartment managers and employers will not accept or hire someone who is registered as a sex offender. If the charged conduct is not sexual in nature, it can still have long term consequences, including restraining orders designed to prohibit any future contact with the victim.

If a harasser is charged a second time with cyberstalking, then the sentence could be increased by the first conviction. A defendant fortunate enough to be placed on probation for a cyberstalking charge usually faces intensive supervision because of the concern for the victim’s safety. Terms of probation can include a requirement that a defendant has no contact with the victim, that the harasser complete a psychological assessment, or that he complete an anger management assessment.

Even though cyberstalking is a relatively new charge, it retains many old problems for victims and defendants alike. Updates in cyberstalking laws and investigation techniques have resolved many of these problems, but despite these changes, anyone grappling with a cyberstalking charge, as either a defendant or a victim, should be familiar with the most recent laws and remedies for a cyberstalking charge in their state.

Case Studies: Cyberstalking Charges

Case Study 1: Jane’s Online Harassment

Jane, a young professional, starts receiving threatening messages on social media from an anonymous user. The messages escalate, causing Jane significant distress and fear for her safety.

Despite her efforts to block and report the account, the cyberstalker continues to create new profiles and harass her. Unable to identify the perpetrator, Jane seeks legal assistance to put an end to the cyberstalking and protect herself.

Case Study 2: Mark’s Cyberstalking Nightmare

Mark, a divorced father, finds himself targeted by his ex-spouse through relentless cyberstalking. His ex-spouse creates fake profiles on various social media platforms to monitor his online activities and spread false information about him.

Mark’s personal and professional life is severely impacted, leading to emotional distress and reputational harm. He decides to take legal action to stop the cyberstalking and regain his peace of mind.

Case Study 3: Rachel’s Cyberstalker Revealed

Rachel, a high school student, becomes the victim of cyberstalking when an anonymous person starts sending her threatening messages through email and social media.

The cyberstalker’s identity remains a mystery until Rachel’s friend manages to capture screenshots of the messages, including the stalker’s IP address. With this evidence, law enforcement is able to trace the cyberstalker’s location and bring the individual to justice.

Case Study 4: Alex’s Cyberstalking Nightmare

Alex, an aspiring entrepreneur, experiences relentless cyberstalking from a disgruntled competitor.

The competitor uses various tactics, including spreading false rumors, hacking into Alex’s business accounts, and sending harassing messages to clients and partners.

Faced with significant financial and reputational damage, Alex consults with legal professionals to explore his options for legal recourse and protection against the cyberstalker.