Logo
  • Home
  • Ask
  • Teen Help Network
  • About
    • About Judge Tom
    • Books
    • FAQs
    • Press Room
  • Your Rights
    • Crime and Punishment
    • Student Rights at School
    • You and Your Body
    • You and the Internet
    • Juvenile Justice System
    • LGBT Youth Rights
    • More Categories
  • Blog
  • Get Help
    • Videos
    • A Teenager’s Guide to Juvenile Court
    • Books
    • Research & Resources
  • Newsletter Signup

 

Q&A

Know your rights! Youth justice and juvenile law answers.

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.

Copyright, 2014
Logo
August 3, 2012
Judge Tom
Blog
0

Teen assault victim goes public on Twitter

PreviousNext

In the summer of 2011, Kentucky teenager Savannah Dietrich was drinking with friends when things turned ugly. She passed out and two boys that she knew sexually assaulted her. Months later she became aware that they had filmed the incident and posted it online.

The boys were charged with assault and in June, 2012, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse and voyeurism. They will be sentenced in August, 2012. In the meantime, the judge ordered that the case not be discussed or names released. Savannah was upset with the plea agreement and tweeted about it naming the two boys. As explained by Savannah on Twitter, “They said I can’t talk about it or I’ll be locked up. ….Protect rapist is more important than getting justice for the victim in Louisville.” Savannah’s parents agreed with their daughter going public about this incident.  “I’m not protecting anyone that made my life a living Hell,” Savannah commented.

Savannah Dietrich (Twitter)

Dietrich said she just needed to stand up for herself. “I’m at the point that if I have to go to jail for my rights, I will do it.” The attorney for the boys is asking the judge to hold Savannah in contempt for violating the judge’s order of silence. The maximum penalty is a $500 fine and up to six months in jail.

What do you think about this story? Does Savannah’s First Amendment right to free speech override the court’s gag order regarding the underage defendants? Or does she have a right to speak her mind whether online or off? What about disregarding the judge’s order not to disclose the names of the boys? Is this contempt of court and punishable as a consequence?

Update: A short time later, the boys’ attorney withdrew the motion to hold Savannah in contempt. So, she’s in the clear but must face their sentencing next month. In September, 2012, the two boys were sentenced to community service and sex offender treatment. When they reach age 21, they can apply to the court for a reduction of the assault charges.

freedom of speechjuvenile laws
Share this
Judge Tom

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.

Find great resources in our

Teen Help Network


Leave A Comment Cancel reply