Austin Cyber Bullying Lawyer
If you find yourself accused of cyber bullying, it's important to take the situation seriously and act quickly, as the consequences can be severe. Cyber bullying means using digital technology, like phones or computers, to hurt or intimidate someone else. This behavior can lead to serious legal trouble, including potential fines and jail time, for those who are convicted.
Facing cyber bullying charges? Know your rights. Call Cofer & Connelly, PLLC at (512) 991-0576 or reach out online. With over 100 years of combined defense experience, 25,000 cases managed, and more than 300 jury trials in Texas, our attorneys deliver personalized defense strategies.
What Is Cyber Bullying?
According to Texas Penal Code Section 42.07, cyber bullying involves using technology to harm others. If you use your phone or computer to send messages or posts that are meant to upset someone else, that might be considered cyber bullying under Texas law. Specifically, if you intentionally harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass someone through digital means, you could be breaking the law.
To be accused of cyber bullying, you must engage in certain actions. For example, making obscene comments during a phone call or online, threatening to hurt someone or their family, or spreading false alarms about serious injuries or deaths can all fall under cyber bullying. Even actions like calling someone repeatedly or not hanging up the phone, letting others use your phone to harass someone, or sending many unwanted messages online are considered cyber bullying.
In more severe forms, if you publish harmful messages repeatedly on websites or social media, especially in ways that could seriously upset someone, it counts too. Recently, Texas law also began to tackle the use of tracking apps or devices to monitor someone without their permission as a form of cyber bullying.
Prosecutors looking to convict someone of cyber bullying need to prove that the actions were intentional and fit the descriptions in the law. For instance, they must show that you knew what you were doing was likely to upset the victim and that you did it on purpose to cause distress or harm.
What Are the Penalties for Cyber Bullying?
In Texas, the penalties for cyber bullying can vary depending on a few factors, including whether you've done it before. Generally, cyber bullying is treated as a Class B misdemeanor, which can lead to jail time of up to 180 days, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. However, if you have been convicted of cyber bullying before, the charge can be raised to a Class A misdemeanor. This higher charge can mean up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both.
The law gets even stricter if the cyber bullying involves specific circumstances. For example, if the bullying targets a child under 18 with the intent of causing that child to harm themselves or even consider suicide, the penalties can increase. Also, if you've ignored a court order related to cyber bullying before, this will also affect the severity of the penalties.
If you are convicted of cyber bullying in Texas, you might not have to go to jail. Instead, you could be placed under community supervision. This means you stay in your community but must follow certain rules and meet with a probation officer regularly. You might also need to attend counseling sessions, perform community service, or participate in educational programs about bullying and its impacts. These alternatives focus on rehabilitating you and preventing future offenses without the need for incarceration.
Being convicted of cyber bullying can affect your life in ways beyond just serving time. With a criminal record, you could find it hard to get jobs, especially if they involve trust or technology. You might also face problems when trying to rent a house or apply for college.
How a Cyber Bullying Attorney Can Help
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