Yes, you can be arrested and go to jail for bullying
It’s National Bullying Prevention Month, so we want to focus on some of the bullying and cyberbullying questions we’ve received over the past few years. We also want to share bullying stories with positive endings to inspire and to provide helpful resources and links. Because some people still believe that you can remain anonymous online while spreading vicious rumors, etc., the following cases illustrate the very real and serious trouble you can face if you get caught up in cyberbullying a classmate, friend or even someone you don’t know.
Go to jail for bullying?
Although most bullying and cyberbullying cases don’t result in jail or prison time, we want to remind everyone that it is indeed possible to go to jail for bullying (even when no physical contact has been made).
A number of students including a 12-year-old in Arkansas have been arrested for their hateful tweets. Some students create fake Twitter accounts, which usually can be linked to the creator of the account fairly easily. The 12-year-old’s Twitter name was Freezebook and the student was arrested for his “violent, racist, homophobic and sexually explicit Twitter updates” targeting local high school students. He faced up to 90 days in jail.
Making comments online about wanting to kill certain classmates, even if it’s a joke, is not something that is typically taken lightly. Those type of comments landed this 16-year-old in juvenile detention for 79 days while he had to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. He was also suspended from school for the rest of the year. In a similar case, Justin Carter wrote in a chat room for gamers, “I’m real messed up in the head. I’m going to go shoot up a school full of kids and eat their still, beating hearts.” He followed that with “LOL” and “JK”. He was arrested for making terroristic threats and remained in jail for approximately 4 months before someone posted his bond. Under the current charges, he faces 8 years in prison.
Jacob Estes did not like his friend’s ex-girlfriend dating a new guy. That new guy, Dax, began to receive threatening and harassing messages online from Jacob. Then one day the two high school boys met up at a mall. Jacob attacked Dax by punching and kicking him in the head. Dax was seriously injured. Jacob was convicted of aggravated assault and sent to prison for three years.
Criminal charges filed in the following cases
The tragic bullycide of Rehtaeh Parsons of Nova Scotia, Canada is an example of an outrageous act of cyberbullying. After being the victim of sexual assault, Rehtael then became a victim of cyberbullying after the video of the assault went viral. Shortly after Rehtaeh committed suicide, two 18-year-olds were charged with possession, production and distribution of pornography.
A Colorado high school student was charged with five counts of third-degree harassment after uploading five students’ photos from Facebook to Instagram under an anonymous user ID. The student then added derogatory and sexual comments under each photo. The police tracked the student down through their IP address.
Facebook rant and threats against the president lead to a sentence to 3 years probation. Joaquin Amador Serrapio, a 20-year-old in Florida, posted on Facebook under a different name “Who wants to help me assassinate Obummer…..?” The secret service tracked down the posts to Joaquin’s home and conducted a search.
Harassing celebrities on Twitter? This 21-year-old from Canada pled guilty to harassment and uttering threats and received 2 years probation for his online conduct.
Six students faced felony charges after the tragic bullycide of Phoebe Prince who was tormented both online and in person by some of her classmates. Phoebe and her family moved to the U.S. the year prior from Ireland. A group of “mean girls” called her names including Irish slut, whore and more. Phoebe was harassed at school and online. The students pled guilty to reduced charges (misdemeanors) and most were sentenced to 1-2 years of probation and 100 hours of community service.
Trials, suspensions, etc. for name-calling?
Photo by Laura Lewis
An eighth grade student in New Jersey took his case to trial for calling another student “horse” (that is all he admitted to, however he was charged for also calling her “fat” and “fat a@$”).
This student wrote in a Facebook post that her AP English teacher was the “worst teacher” she’d even met. This comment resulted in the student’s suspension. However, the student didn’t back down. For years she challenged the school’s discipline in court and eventually won her case, which led to her school record being cleared.
Also keep in mind that if you are arrested by the police, they don’t need a search warrant to go through anything that you’re carrying. That may include your cell phone depending on the laws in your state.
i think that it is a good idea
my school is so ghetto they always suspend people foor defending therself because ppeople walk around bullying but if you defend yourself back you get in trouble too smh…
Dear Azariah: You have to keep in mind that school officials have to balance respecting the rights of students with maintaining a safe and secure campus for everyone. Bullying of all types is unacceptable, and bullies must be dealt with immediately. There may be incidents when others including bystanders become involved. That’s unfortunate but take a look at your school’s Student Handbook for the rules on this and the process that is followed once reported. Be patient and, if you become a part of an incident, explain your side of the story and be truthful.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
Hey Natalie,
I’m a junior in high school and I’m wondering If bullying laws apply to adults as well as students. I had a teacher in 6th grade that relentlessly bullied me and continues to bully kids even now. Several of my friends in several different grade levels share similar stories about the things she did to them. Is there a statue of limitations on bullying? I’m in New Jersey in case you were wondering.
Thanks for your help
Dear Candice: Thanks for writing us. Yes, New Jersey has bullying laws that apply to both kids and adults. The laws are broken down to the nature of the bullying; whether it consists of harassment, intimidation, stalking or threatening. Each of those crimes have what are called statutes of limitation, meaning there is a time period to file charges, like one year or three years depending on the crime. We suggest you go to http://www.cyberbullying.org for specific information about the laws in New Jersey. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
How long are u in jail for bullying so I can tell my bully
Dear Chris: The length of jail or prison time for a convicted bully depends on a number of factors. First, the laws where you live, the bully’s history of offenses, age, nature of the bullying, etc. Someone could end up in jail for days, months or even years. A lot goes into the decision the judge makes when determining an appropriate sentence.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I’m getting bullied every day at my school. It used to just be dirty looks and scoffing at me, but soon, they started calling me a “thot” (a new derogatory term for slut/whore) and soon they found out that I’m pansexual. Then the insults came harder-hitting. “Lesbian”, “Lesbian SLUT”, “Faggot”, and “Gay hoe” are terms that are constantly thrown my way. It’s been minor since August 2016 and its been major since November 2018. Since it’s been going on for so long, can any legal action be taken? (It’s currently January 2019)
Dear Mari: It is never too late to report bullying, especially if it continues to this day. Your school most likely has an anti-bullying policy in place. Take a look at your Student Handbook or the school’s Code of Conduct. They may be available on the school’s website. Discuss this with your parents and, together, you can take this up with school officials. Don’t keep what’s going on to yourself. You’re not alone in this and there are remedies available to you. Be strong and we wish you the best.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I was recently called an emo a@$ wh0re can the person who said this get arrested?
Dear Emma: Name calling is not a crime. It hurts and causes discomfort and pain. But under most laws, it doesn’t constitute a criminal act. Remember we have the First Amendment which protects all forms of speech, including offensive speech.
We suggest you ignore this person, don’t engage him or her, and hopefully it will end. Most bullies stop their behavior if they’re ignored. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
If Someone made like a rant about someone but not saying their name but like describing how you hate them is that cyberbullying and can you get arrested for that and if u only did it once
Dear Isabella: You would have to refer to the specific cyberbullying law or laws against harassment, stalking, etc. of your state. It’s unlikely that a person would be arrested for a one-time incident of cyberbullying. To find out more about the specific laws in your state, click here. Remember, we should all practice kindness and find the good in one another rather than spreading hate. Thank you for your question.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
I am writing an essay surrounding the topic of bullying. Do you know if the bullies who get caught and receive suspension from schools ultimately stop the bullying or does the bullying still continue?
Dear Emily: In most cases, when a student is disciplined for cyberbullying, the bullying stops. When the principal and parents address the problem and discuss it with the student, you see a change in behavior.
The Cyberbullying Research Center is a great source of information on all things on this subject. We suggest you go to http://www.cyberbullying.org to see their work about bullies, consequences and the aftermath. Good luck with your essay.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
How long do you stay in prison?
Dear Tommy: The length of time one spends in jail or prison depends on many factors including the nature of the crime committed, the person’s criminal history, the specific laws that apply to the case, the policies of the court and prosecution, the victim’s statement, etc. If you google the name of the state and the crime involved, you’ll see information on this.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
Minors that pose as Adults .to lure in adult males. Is cyber bullying. Then investigations a nd obstruction of justice.to cover for these Monster Minors Misbehaving On Social Media.These Minors they can send nude pics.Now it’s called poronoghy charges on the adult and not for the Monster Minors Misbehaving.
Dear Pam: A state’s criminal laws apply to minors as well as adults. There aren’t two separate criminal codes – one for each age group. Teenagers who break the law may be handled in the juvenile justice system as opposed to the adult system, but their actions determine what the penalty will be if convicted of a crime. There are different consequences when dealing with minors since the goal is one of rehabilitation rather than punishment.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I am being bullied by my old friend-my mum called me fat
Dear Prudence: We’re sorry to hear about your circumstances. There are people who can help you. If the bullying is occurring at school, you can talk to a teacher, school counselor, or even the principal or vice principal. All schools have rules and policies for dealing with bullying. Take care of yourself and reach out to someone for help.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
I am currently in 6th grade and our teacher gave us a group assignment about making a drama about problems in the real world. Our group decided to raise awareness about bullying. I was wondering if people could get arrested for bullying to the point where the victim obtains mental health issues. Thanks!
Dear Hannah: The answer to your question is yes. Every state has a law or laws about bullying and cyberbullying. If you google the name of your state and “bullying,” you’ll see what your law says. You can also check your school’s library for a book Judge Tom wrote a few years ago called “Teen Cyberbullying Investigated” by Free Spirit Publishing. It presents cases of young people who got into trouble from cyberbullying others. Some cases deal with the victim’s loss, including mental health injuries. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
My friend I were bullied by a girl since kindergarten (we are in sixth grade now). She push my friend into a cactus and said, “if you don’t say you backed up into that I will punch you in the face” (this was in second grade). She called us fat b*tches and h*es. She made physical contact with us and threatened us. One of us doesn’t have social media but the other one has caught the other the person hating on me. What do we do?
Dear Natalie & Tamara: We’re very sorry to hear about your bullying experiences. First, we suggest you both talk to your parents about what’s happening as they may be able to help put an end to the bullying. You and your parents can ask for a meeting with the school principal or vice principal to further discuss and report the bullying. Your school’s student handbook, which should be available online through the school’s website should have specific policies and procedures for addressing a bullying incident or incidents. Once you put your school officials on notice, then the anti-bullying policies and procedures should go into effect. Good luck to the both of you.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
My friend was cyber bullied on a high school alumni page from our high school (class of 1982)
We are all adults …. one former member didn’t like the Colin kapernik memes that she posted … so she screenshotted all the memes and posted them on our alumni page . And said she was a racist and everyone should know , she stated that she was fed up and was going to teach her a lesson …. a bunch of other members joined in to try to stalk her page . Luckily my friend was smart enough to block all of them . The original bully called her hosp where she works as an emergency nurse to anonomysly report her and emailed the hosp HR dept to report her as a racist and lied saying she too worked at the hosp and was deeply offended …. what can be done ?
Dear Renee: AsktheJudge.info is an educational site for and about teens and the law. Unfortunately, your friend may have to speak to HR or her boss about this incident, the person behind it and even show the comments and posts from your high school alumni page. She could consult an employment law attorney to further discuss if it gets to that point with her employer. Finally, she could look into filing a request for an injunction against harassment or another similar request with her local court. Good luck to your friend.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
i think that the only reason cybebulling exists is just for attention because you could just block them and thats the end of the story or change your username and password but this is just my opinion and i dont care if you guys or girls get mad or something
Well people at my school have tripped me and hit me and one time lied about hitting me first (I used self defense) people have done this for most of my life and my parents know they usually say that I’m not getting bullied also on social media I’ve been called a fat a@s a nerd and even a d@ckhead I don’t know if this is legal I have contacted a lot of principals and teachers throughout my life but it doesn’t help
Dear Samuel: We’re very sorry to hear about your circumstances. If you are still getting bullied and/or cyberbullied, be sure to document every incident and hold onto any evidence such as social media posts, etc. by making a copy, taking a picture or any other way that can be used as evidence against the person if necessary. Report the incidents to your teachers, school counselor or principal/vice principal. Every state has laws about bullying and require that schools have rules and regulations prohibiting such. Check your Student Handbook, which should be available through your school’s website to see what it says about bullying. Finally, you can click the following link to find out more about the specific cyberbullying laws in your state. Good luck.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
I’m being cyberbullied by someone on a chat room I frequent. I post my work and this one person keeps defacing it and leaving nasty comments. Is there anything I can do?
Dear Fae: Yes, there are a number of things you can do to try to stop the cyberbullying. First, contact the moderator of the chat room or whoever is responsible for managing it. Report the cyberbullying to him/her and be as specific as possible including dates, what happened, what was said, etc. You can also search the site you use to find any other people connected to the site such as the website owner or another person responsible for managing the site. If you are a minor and under 18, be sure to tell an adult you trust about the cyberbullying. An adult can help you get the help you need to put an end to it. Finally, if the cyberbullying does not end and continues to be harmful to you, you could always report it to the police. You could also consider not using that site/chat room for a period of time. Good luck.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
So my best friend is getting cyber bullied and they are trying to convince him to commit suicide. How can I report this
Dear Camille: We’re glad you care enough about your friend to write us. You have several options: tell his parents what’s going on, or another responsible adult that you trust. That includes a school official or the police.Someone needs to intervene and put a stop to the bullying. He shouldn’t feel like he’s alone in this struggle, but instead has others at his side to help him work through it. There are help/hotlines you can contact for counseling, etc. Take a look at this website for information about this: https://www.stopbullying.gov/get-help-now/index.html
Good luck. (This is information only – not legal advice).
Thanks
Good info
to everyone who is experiencing bullying at school just dont listen because you are special you are loved even if some one tells u you you aren’t
Great advice, LaParis, thanks for writing. -ATJ.info
everytime I go to school people tell me to go kill myself or to go die in a hole people have even made nicknames for me like leah skank, leaga and leah skunk. my parents even know what’s going on at school and they just tell me to fight the people who are being mean to me but i dont want to get suspended from school every week, the schools principal and counseler even know about it and they dont do anything to stop it, every day i cry because of what happens and i dont have any friends because of what they do this has all been happening since kindergarten and i dont know how to stop it and because of all of this i have done gotten suspended twice
PLEASE HELP!!!!!!! p.s. im 12 and in 7th grade
Dear Leah: We’re sorry to hear about your life at school. You need to continue telling your parents about the bullying. If the principal knows and doesn’t take any action, the school superintendent needs to know what’s going on. No one should have to put up with constant bullying by classmates or others. Sit down with your parents and tell them how much this bothers you and how you feel. You can also talk with an adult you trust for suggestions on how to deal with this. e wish you the best.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
My friend are bullying me
Dear Madison: Please talk to an adult you trust about your circumstances. Whether it’s a parent, a teacher, school counselor or another relative, an adult can help you put an end to the bullying. But if you keep it to yourself, no one will know and be able to help. There are hotlines that also may be able to help you. Check out Hotlines under the “Mental Health” category in our Teen Help Network link below for more. Good luck.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
people in my school are getting bullied i do too im 12 btw if anyone knows what to do plz help immediatly
and i have a twelve year old sister that bullies me as well and my perents dont care at all
Dear Keva: Perhaps you could try talking to your teacher or a school counselor about the bullying. Once reported, there are rules in place for the school to handle bullying incidents a certain way and to impose consequences when necessary. Don’t keep this to yourself as there is no way for change to happen if no one knows about the bullying. Hang in there and good luck.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
my parents know that i get bullied they just tell me to fight people but im too scared to do it please help
Dear Lizzy: We’re sorry to hear about your circumstances. Try talking to your teacher, school counselor or principal. Assuming the bullying is occurring at school, a school administrator can help put an end to it. Every school has rules and policies against bullying and once reported, the school is required to take action to follow up on the report. Good luck.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
idk if this is that serious but I am a 12 year old girl and every day I get called something dirty or people try me down steps or I get gum thrown at me everyday is a nightmare for me sometimes I even think about cutting myself or commiting suicide I know im not alone on this but sometimes I feel like everybody wants me to be dead. what should I do?
Dear Lizzy: We’re very sorry to hear about your circumstances. You should not have to deal with the bullying and harassment you are experiencing. First, talk to your parents about this and let them know what is happening at school. They can help set up a meeting with the principal or vice principal to put an end to the bullying. Every school has rules against bullying and there are consequences for those that are engaging in that type of behavior. Yes, it is a big deal and it has to stop, but you need to open up and tell your parents or another adult you trust about what is happening. You are certainly not alone. If you feel like hurting yourself, please know that there are crisis hotlines out there where professionals are available to talk to you. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 any time to talk to someone – it’s confidential and free. Please take care of yourself. (Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
I am an adult
Parent to a kid who is about to lose his favorite hobby due to online bullying in the MMORG World of Warcraft. The kid is 12. He does great in school so I let him play. With myself or my husband. We thought we could protect him. Now our only hope is to pay roughly $150 plus whatever for battlenet ID transfers. The harassment comes from his raid leader. We pulled him from the team after constant sex stories. The leader went nuts and started harassing all 3 of us. Blizzard claims a zero tolerance policy for bullying but they have done nothing. But then why would they. We have to pay hundreds in realm – id changes when this happens. They profit from it so they don’t seem to care.
Dear Katrina: We’re sorry to hear about your family’s circumstances. If the harassment continues, you could consider reporting it to the police. It’s up to them as to whether or not they will investigate, but someone should not be able to continuously a number of people online. Good luck. (Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
So idk if this is cyber bullying, but someone that isn’t my class mate anymore called me a whore a couple days ago on social media without anyone seeing and I just found out today and I replied saying do u even know what that means a he said yes. I took a screenshot Of what he had said. He has also called me fat in the past. And maybe like 2 weeks ago he called me a perve directly on Instagram. And I am a young teenager. I was thinking of talking to his parents about this cause IK them but idk what to do. IK this isn’t very serious but, he isn’t the nicest to me.
Dear Reader: Don’t underestimate how serious this is. It’s obviously serious to you since you wrote us about it. We consider all forms of bullying (traditional or cyber) as serious matters. We suggest you speak with your parents first before taking any action. You didn’t mention your age, but if you’re a young teen, your parents can help out since they can approach this kid’s parents to discuss his behavior. Keeping it to yourself won’t end the bullying, and no one deserves to be bullied. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
excdllent advise really helped me for my english speaking exam aboyut bullying
Thanks, Jasmin, for writing us. -Judge Tom
I know this is out of ordinary., but my husband left a message for my daughter that her husband didn’t like. Mind you this isn’t my 1st time of him bashing me (and my husband). Every time I would think it was over he would come back meaner. I have attempted suicide in the past and remain under a doctor’s care and my husband has dementia, which I tried to explain that’s what started all of this. His cruelty was soon matched only by mine and I was left with nothing but wanting to die again! His being bully will finally get me…it’s what he does for s living , he’s a jailer. Is this legal? Is this ok?
Dear Marcia: What you describe may not be legal and it certainly is not “ok.” It depends on the specific laws where you live. There are ways to stop contact between persons who are subject to harassment or intimidation. Every state has laws granting victims protection through what are called “restraining orders” or “orders of protection.” The victim needs to ask a local court to issue this against the offender. You don’t need a lawyer for this and it’s an easy process to obtain such an order. Most courts have the necessary form to complete and file, and there’s usually no filing fee. You can ask at the courthouse about the process. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I’m writing a book about cyber bulling and a girl gets cyber bullied from her friend. There r 13 and the girl does overdose but survives. Does the cyber bully get in jail? I need help with my book please
Dear Niki: Congratulations and good luck with your book! The possible consequences for cyberbullying are going to depend on the state laws as well as the specific facts and circumstances involved. For instance, if a minor rather than an adult, was doing the cyberbullying, the consequences may be less harsh than if an adult was the perpetrator. Generally, jail time is a real possibility, but the circumstances should be a clear, repeated attack or harassment on the victim. At the same time, jail time is not frequently imposed. Click here to find out more about the various state laws and consequences for cyberbullying. And again, best of luck with your book.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
I used to be a jerk online! I never threatened anyone, but was a jerk. I received a call from a police officer, and it scared me straight. I had no idea how much being rude to someone online, can effect them. Remember, be kind to each other. It’s OK to disagree, but keep it civil. I suffer from mental health issues and I wouldn’t like to made fun of, just because I have a chemical imbalance. Treat each other how you want to be treated. … All the best.
Dear Josh: Thank you for sharing your story. We’re glad to hear you learned from the mistakes you were making online and realize how it may have affected others. There’s enough negativity in the world. Let’s spread kindness.
Can you go to juve for cyber bullying someone
Dear M.: Yes it’s possible, but it depends on the facts of the incident. What was done may constitute a crime where you live such as harassment, intimidation, threatening or stalking. If your state has a “cyberbullying” law, that will also come into play. It all depends on existing laws, the prosecutor’s position and the judge’s discretion in the case. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
My girlfriend is bullied by a male at her school. She’s 16 years old and I’m not sure what age he is. He kicks her and hits her, he takes her phone and has even broke the screen on it. I go to a different school than she does so I’m not there to stop it. She’s scared and doesn’t know what to do. Is there anything I can do about the situation?
Dear Dakota: Yes, and we’re glad you wrote to us and are concerned about your friend. Bullying doesn’t stop until it comes to someone’s attention and the bully is confronted. The school she goes to most likely has a bullying prevention policy. You can call the school and report what you know. They may call her in to the office to discuss and verify what’s going on. You could also notify her parents if you’re comfortable doing this. As a last resort, if things continue and the bullying gets worse and she faces physical harm, you can notify the police. If you are under 18, you might want to talk this over with your parents before acting. The bottom line is that standing by and watching won’t put an end to the bullying. Stand up for your friend and notify a responsible adult. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
Thanks so much helped me a ton with my bullying presentation
You’re welcome. -Judge Tom
this girl put me in dramma on kik wichh is a social media and we were threating and plqanning to fight can u get in toruble for that??if so how long can u get in trouble for?
Dear Markayla: Whether you broke any laws where you live depends on what was said and done. Words alone may not be criminal unless they constitute a threat of harm, stalking, harassment or intimidation. The police and prosecutor would take the details into consideration before filing charges against someone for the behavior you describe. We suggest that you calm down and think before you speak online or off. Remember, once you post something, you can’t take it back and it may be used against you if any laws are broken.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
I’m bullied every day they say there sick in tired of me and make sure I have no friends
Dear Aubrey: We’re very sorry to hear about your circumstances. We strongly suggest you talk to your parents or another adult you trust like a teacher, school counselor or another relative. There is help out there and you don’t have to put up with this, but you need to reach out and ask for it. Good luck.
(Check our Teen Help Network for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
This help me in school to know that some kids are going to be put in prison. Me and my twin sister got bullied because we are black and we go to a white school.
Dear Malory: We are sorry to hear about the bullying at school. If it continues, report it to someone at school and let your parents know. Schools have anti-bullying rules and procedures to handle these situations. If it goes unreported, the bullies continue their attacks on you and others. We wish you the best.
(This is information only – not legal advice).
Me and a friend of mine got into an argument. Nothing bad. It was a stupid argument. No drastic measures were taken. But her mom reported it to our school. And they were going to call the cops. Can I be arrested? Even though it wasn’t a drastic situation. Or will I get like some warning? This is the first time anything has happened.
Dear Zac: Based on what you have described, it does not sound like a situation that would result in an arrest or charges for that matter. You could try checking your Student Handbook to find your school’s rules and policies concerning bullying. Because this is your first time getting into trouble and because you said the argument was nothing “drastic”, you may be facing consequences through your school like detention. Perhaps you could talk to your parents about this and see if you could meet with your friend’s parents and/or the school to try to resolve the matter. Good luck.
(Check our Resource Directory for more help and resources in your area. This is information only – not legal advice.)
Thank you I have been bullied lots of time, so I just wanted to know that there are people that care.
You’re welcome, Tina. We care & thanks for writing us. -Judge Tom
I I Guess I said something that I wish both my husband’s parents die. I’m not friends with them or want anything to do with them. Now they want to press charges against him and I. I don’t mean it and stayed away for 4 years. Then this. Then this. They hate me and put me down both on Facebook and in person. I just want them to leave us alone. We are not friends. She stalks my page.
Dear Heather: We’re sorry to hear about your family situation. However, as a teen-law website, there’s little we can do or suggest. If you think your in-laws are breaking the law, you can speak with the police to see if anything can be done. Good luck.
(This is information only – not legal advice).