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Askthejudge.info features regular updates from the news, important decisions from the nation′s courts, and online discussions with Judge Tom. Find out everything you need to know about youth rights, juvenile law and juvenile justice. AsktheJudge – Empowering youth one question at a time.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this site is made available to the general public and is not intended to serve as legal advice.You should consult a trained legal professional in your area for questions you may have about the laws affecting juveniles or any legal interpretations.

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February 23, 2011
Judge Tom
Blog
3

Rhode Island teen accused of cyberbullying classmate

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A 15 year old sophomore at Smithfield High School in Rhode Island created a phony Facebook page in November, 2010.  Her target was a freshman girl who was born with a deformed foot.  The profile was titled “Halfafoot” and included the freshman’s last name, birthdate and a picture of a severed, bloody foot.

When friends saw the page, they told her to take it down.  She refused, telling them she wanted to see the responses she would get from her invite requests.  Instead, she’s been referred to Family Court for cyberstalking, which is also known as cyberbullying or cyber harassment, and using false information in creating the fake profile.

Rhode Island law* prohibits electronic communication for the sole purpose of harassing someone.  A first offense is a misdemeanor where offenders face up to a $500 fine and one year in prison.  A second offense is a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison, $6000 in fines or both.

Legislative efforts are underway to assist law enforcement in these cases.  This incident took six search warrants to track the computer addresses.  Three computers were seized from the sophomore student’s home.  Proposed legislation in 2011 may grant someone other than a judge authority to issue administrative warrants in these cases (possible a police official).

*Rhode Island Statute 16-21-21 (2008)

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The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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3 Comments

  • Tulsa Divorce Attorney Matt Ingham
    July 19, 2011 7:23 pm count( 0 )

    She should be ordered to appear in Juvenile Court on charges of cyberbullying…how that 15 year old sophomore girl could be so heartless is beyond reason…she deserves to have to face justice.