New York City Cyberbullying Lawyer
A free discussion of what constitutes cyberbullying or if and how it should be dealt with can be intriguing, but if your child has been accused, it is critical to take the allegations seriously. This has become one of the most hotly debated topics in school systems throughout New York and around the country.
Although the relationship between school policies and New York state law on this topic is still evolving, there are clear trends toward "zero tolerance" that could expose a child accused of even one act of cyberbullying to suspension, expulsion or worse. Criminal prosecution is not out of the question, depending on the people involved and other circumstances.
What Is Cyberbullying?
Information published online by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) includes:
- Examples of cyberbullying ranging from sending or posting physical threats to another child or young person to "posing" as someone else to make them look bad, and from posting false information about a minor student to "intentionally excluding someone from an online group"
- A lengthy list of the media that can be used for cyberbullying, including e-mail, text messaging, Internet forums and social media sites (such as Facebook and MySpace)
The difficulty of distinguishing between a piece of communication serious enough to warrant discipline and one that should be left between the young people involved and their parents is just one problematic issues. Another is the evidence that should be required to punish a child, given the difficulty of establishing who acted first and whether acts in the real world were taken online into "cyberspace" at some point.
Reach a Lawyer Knowledgeable in School Discipline Issues: 800-399-7098
Attorney Karl Seman, a founding partner in our firm, has vast experience representing students in Nassau County, New York City and the surrounding area who are facing suspension, expulsion, prosecution in juvenile or adult court, or other forms of life-changing consequences. To discuss allegations and concerns in your case with a New York cyberbullying lawyer who will grasp the challenge and take action as needed, contact us now.
