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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
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September 24, 2007
Judge Tom
You and the Internet
3

What if I make a comment on someone else’s site?

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Joshua* went  to Kettering High School in Michigan.  He contributed to a website called “Satan’s web page” that was created by another student.  Joshua added a list of “people I wish would die.”  He was suspended for one semester and spent three days hospitalized for a mental health evaluation. Joshua succeeded having the discipline removed from his school record since the court found no disruption at school or a threat to anyone and therefore, his free speech rights applied.

Photo by Tostie 14 (Flickr)

This doesn’t mean you can say anything on the Internet and get away with it.  If the content of your post constitutes a threat of harm to someone, it may violate a criminal law.  Every state has laws regarding threatening, stalking and harassment.  If you want to see what your state says about this, Google the word you’re curious about like “stalking” and your state’s name.  You should see a few sites that provide specific information on the subject.  Remember that writing on someone else’s computer, no matter where you are, may be traced back to you.

*Mahaffey v. Aldrich, 236 F.Supp.2d 779 (2002).

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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.

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3 Comments

  • Shannan
    September 20, 2014 7:14 pm count( 0 )

    Very nice write-up. I definitely appreciate this site.
    Keep writing!
    Dear Shannan: Thank you for your comment. -Judge Tom

  • pettube.com
    June 29, 2013 1:56 pm count( 1 )

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  • wiwt.com
    March 12, 2013 1:32 am count( 2 )

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Internet.

    Regards