Hickory Cyberbullying Lawyer

Hickory Cyberbullying Attorney

Bullying has been an unfortunate part of everyday life for many people around the country. Ever since the invention of the Internet and how integral social media has become to people’s lives, there has been a rise in cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is the act of harassing someone through the use of online devices, and it is covered under North Carolina’s bullying laws. If you have been accused of cyberbullying, you should consider reaching out to a Hickory cyberbullying lawyer.

Examples of Cyberbullying in North Carolina

In North Carolina, bullying is any demeaning or threatening behavior that creates a hostile environment for someone on school grounds or at a school-sponsored function. Cyberbullying falls under these laws, but cyberbullying doesn’t just happen at school. It is done through the Internet with the intention of mentally or emotionally harming individuals. Here are some examples of cyberbullying and the possible penalties offenders can face if charged with these crimes:

• Harassment: One of the most common forms of cyberbullying is online harassment. This behavior can include:
  • Sending someone hurtful or threatening text messages, emails, and direct messages (DMs).
  • Creating group chats with the express purpose of ganging up on one person and making them feel bad.
  • Sending someone derogatory comments about their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, weight, age, economic status, or other personal characteristics.
  • Posting deliberately hurtful or untrue statements on social media in an effort to publicly harm someone. This includes Facebook, Instagram, X, and other social media sites.
• Impersonation: Pretending to be someone online with the intention of hurting someone’s feelings, shaming them, or purposefully embarrassing them is a form of cyberbullying. Examples of this behavior can be:
  • Hacking into someone’s social media profile and changing a part of it to be harmful, embarrassing, or inappropriate. This includes posting anything on their page in their name or changing their photo.
  • Creating a false profile in someone’s name in order to post rude or demeaning comments about someone else, making it seem like someone else is doing it.
  • Catfishing someone. Catfishing is the act of creating a fake profile to trick someone into a relationship. By creating a fake relationship, the other person may be more willing to share personal photos or stories that the catfisher can later use against them.

Cyberbullying can carry significant penalties if you are charged. If you find yourself facing cyberbullying charges, you may want to consult with a criminal defense lawyer to see what your options are for a valid defense.

Penalties of Cyberbullying

The penalties for cyberbullying can vary depending on age and circumstances. If a person is convicted of cyberbullying while over the age of 18 years old, they can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. In North Carolina, a Class 1 misdemeanor carries a potential jail sentence and a fine that’s up to the discretion of a judge.

If you are convicted of cyberbullying while under the age of 18, you could be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor, which carries a possible jail sentence and a fine.

If the offender pleads guilty, there is a chance that the judge could sentence them to probation in lieu of jail time. It depends largely on the circumstances of the case.

FAQs

Q: What Qualifies as a Harassment Charge in North Carolina?

A: An offender can be charged with harassment in North Carolina if their conduct meets certain requirements under state law. Under the state’s statutes for harassment, the following activity can be considered as such:

• Unwanted phone calls.
• Sending unwanted letters or online DMs.
• Threats to leak someone’s personal information online, such as personal photos.
• Behavior intended to belittle, frighten, or threaten someone else.
• Behavior that causes someone emotional distress, alarm, or significant irritation.

Q: What State Has the Highest Rate of Cyberbullying?

A: According to certain sources, the state that has the highest rate of cyberbullying among high school students is New Hampshire. Over 20% of high school students have reported dealing with cyberbullying at some point in their academic careers. The national average is a little above 15%. Most cyberbullying tends to come from students’ classmates, with the amount totaling over 51%. The number of adults experiencing online harassment doubled between 2014 and 2020.

Q: Can You Sue for Harassment in North Carolina?

A: Yes, you can sue for harassment in Hickory, North Carolina. A harassment charge in North Carolina can be a hefty one, especially if the offender is harassing the victim because of their protected class, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, or other protected traits.

Generally, harassment laws can be enforced if someone is engaging in unwelcome conduct against someone else. Harassment is based on threats, insults, uncomfortable behavior, inappropriate conduct, and/or unwanted sexual advances.

Q: Is Texting Considered Harassment in North Carolina?

A: Yes, unwanted text messages can be considered harassment in North Carolina under the state’s cyberstalking statute. Texting can be a method one can use to harass another person by sending them threatening texts, insulting texts, or unwanted sexual advances. Any behavior that is used to abuse, irritate, threaten, or embarrass another person can be considered harassment regardless of how that behavior is shown, whether in person, online, or through text and phone calls.

Contact an Experienced Cyberbullying Lawyer Today

Dealing with a charge of cyberbullying may seem minor due to its subject matter, but it can land you in serious trouble if you don’t take it seriously. The legal team at Cody Law Firm takes every charge seriously and can offer you real help in handling the charges against you. While cyberbullying can certainly hurt those who are being bullied, a false accusation against an alleged bully can be just as harmful.

We can offer you an independent investigation to figure out the claims against you, legal assistance in developing your case, and representation on your behalf in court if the case goes to trial. Reach out to a valued team member to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help your case.