Social media is an enormous part of many people’s lives. Today, there are over 1.23 billion users on Facebook, not to mention the 241 million monthly active users on Twitter. There are more social networks than can be counted, and more and more people are posting their lives online. Arguments which used to be personal are now available for the world to see, and many people don’t realize they could face criminal charges for their actions in Weld, Morgan, or Logan County. One of the crimes which can be charged is Harassment – C.R.S. 18-9-111. Let’s take a look at this statute and how it affects online behavior:
You Can be Accused of Harassment for Actions Taken Online
The Colorado statute states that a person will be charged with Harassment if they, “with the intent to alarm,” harass, or annoy:
- Initiates communication with a person via a computer network in a manner intended to “harass, or threaten bodily injury or property damage, or makes any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal…that is obscene.”
There are many other instances included in the Harassment statute, but we will focus on the definition related to social media sites. To explain this, we’ll give you an example: Let’s say a man has been accused of Harassment in Greeley. His ex-wife says he wrote threatening messages on her Facebook wall. Because the man posted “obscene” suggestions on a specific person’s page, which made his ex-wife feel threatened, he could face charges of Harassment. Unfortunately, not all cases where people have been accused of Harassment are as clear-cut. A man in Grand Junction was charged after he posted statements on his Facebook page which encouraged violence against police officers. He had no friends on Facebook, having recently unfriended them all, and he wasn’t addressing a “person” as is required by the statute. Regardless, the man faced charges for his actions. Freedom of speech and the First Amendment might be a good defense for his criminal lawyer.
Freedom of speech and the 1st Amendment might be a good defense in this situation.
Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Lawyer for Harassment Charges
It is easy to make statements and threats online, because there is no immediate repercussion. If you make an obscene statement to someone’s face, they could punch you. But, if you make a rude comment online, there is no physical recourse. This doesn’t mean you won’t be accused of Harassment, however. If you are convicted of this offense in Evans, Erie, or Fort Lupton, you need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can fight on your behalf – you don’t want a Harassment charge on your record.
If you or a loved one has been accused of Harassment after a fight on Facebook or other social media, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 970-616-6009, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.
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