Have you been accused of cyberstalking? Do you need a Boston Defense Lawyer for Stalking?
Stalking is a serious, often violent, offense that can affect the day to day life of the victim in a traumatic way. It is illegal in all 50 states. Stalking is a behavior that jeopardizes the safety and well being of the victim. It can often escalate and wreak havoc on the victim’s daily life. Cyberstalking is a serious criminal charge that can jeopardize your reputation and can have lasting consequences.
Cyberstalking laws vary from state to state, but generally, cyberstalking is a form of emotional abuse that takes place online in the virtual sphere; whether that be on social media, or via texting or emails.
This form of Online Harassment, humiliation, and/or embarrassment by digital means can end up:
Controlling the victims finances
Deliberate isolation of victim and/or friends and loved ones
Using control by scare tactics to provoke certain behaviors and reactions
Using private images to coerce or blackmail victims
Cyberstalking may include making false accusations, or otherwise defamation of a person’s character, on internet forums or social media. The cyberstalker may also encourage others to publicly harass or target the victim. The individual may also keep tabs on the victims day to day life on social media and make “catfish” accounts where they pretend to be someone else and take on an alias, or have blank “ghost” accounts to lurk on the victims social media activity. This can especially be the case if the victim has already blocked the person harassing them, and then they make subsequent anonymous accounts to continue the behavior.
If you have been accused of cyberstalking, you should cease all contact with the person who is accusing you, whether or not you have been harassing them. You should save all emails, texts, and communication with the person to keep proof, and it may be a good idea to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the ISP of the person making charges.
Even if you attempt to delete or otherwise remove incriminating content or posts made about the victim, you may run into difficulty. Most websites, service providers, and internet search engines archive data, messages, and posts. And even if you are able to delete the posts, the damage and shame may have already been done.
Cyberstalking is punishable in Massachusetts for up to 5 years in state prison, up to $2,000 in fines, or up to 2 and a half years in the house of corrections or both the fine and the imprisonment. In addition, the social stigma of the charges may have a lasting impact as well and affect your relationships and employment options.
If you have been accused of cyberstalking in Massachusetts, you might feel overwhelmed and not know where to turn. You very well may be innocent. You may believe you are not at fault and that no harm was done. Unfortunately, people do make false accusations sometimes and we will investigate your case to see if there is any ulterior motive or deception at play. Cyberstalking is a serious criminal charge with lasting effects that could affect your social standing and future employment opportunities.
If you have arrested for cyberstalking then you need to speak with a Boston cyberstalking attorney who will work to protect you against a conviction. We understand the nature of the charges you are facing and how best to defend against them.
Reach out to us now at 617 880-6155 to make an appointment with our cyberstalking defense lawyers in Boston.
