Stalking and Harassment

Using the Internet to Cause Fear or Harm

Examples of Internet-related stalking or harassment frequently make headlines. Such was the case with the mother of a teen who created a MySpace page under a false name and used it to taunt and harass a teenaged girl. The girl hung herself after her harasser suggested that the world would be better off without her. The woman was indicted on federal charges.

Raymond D. Sprowls, attorney at law, represent clients who have been charged with Internet stalking, bullying and harassment of all kinds. These cases usually involve using e-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, MySpace, FaceBook or other means of electronic communication to bully or harass another person. In order for charges to be filed, the alleged victim must believe he or she is at risk of physical or reputational harm because of the harassing communications.

Evaluating Stalking and Harassment Claims

Two factors must be assessed in any Internet stalking or harassment case:

1. Was this an isolated incident, or was there a pattern of harassing communications over a period of time? An ongoing pattern of harassing communications is taken more seriously than a one-time incident.

2. Was there an intent to defraud the alleged victim, by posing as someone else or hiding behind the cloak of anonymity. The First Amendment's guarantee of free speech is reserved for individuals and organizations that identify themselves and take responsibility for the content of their communications. When you pose as another or send anonymous threats, you lose your First Amendment rights.

Mr. Sprowls is a criminal defense lawyer who understands the issues involved in Internet stalking and harassment cases. He will work to negotiate or litigate a positive outcome to your situation.

To schedule a free, in-office initial consultation, please contact Raymond D. Sprowls, attorney at law. He represents clients throughout New York's Hudson Valley.

Recent Case Results

November, 2009:
Two men were arrested in a car after police claimed they had seen the driver (Mr. Sprowls’ client) throw a quantity of cocaine out the window and on to a city street. At a pre-trial suppression hearing, Mr. Sprowls successfully argued to the judge that the evidence should be suppressed. Once the evidence was suppressed, the D.A. had no choice but to dismiss all criminal charges. The defendant ended up pleading guilty to a speeding ticket!
October, 2009:
A few months after Mr. Sprowls’ client was arrested during the execution of a search warrant, Mr. Sprowls got the felony charges dismissed. The defendant had been found inside an apartment with prescription pills, marijuana, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia in the room next to where the defendant was standing. Mr. Sprowls used his extensive knowledge of search and seizure law and the facts of the case to convince the D.A. that the case could not be proven against his client and persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charges.
August, 2009:
The police arrested two boys and charged them with felony Criminal Mischief, claiming the boys had caused damage in excess of $500.00 to a local municipal park. The boys denied the charges. The end result? Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed in exchange for the boys’ promise each pay only $100.00. The moral of the story? Never accept the word of the police as truth -- they lie and exaggerate just as much as anyone else.
August, 2008
Two men were arrested and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Mr. Sprowls' client had just finished serving 22 years in state prison and was on parole.

Within five weeks of the defendant's arraignment, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and the defendant is a free man.
March, 2008:
A high school-aged boy and four of his friends were arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including Burglary in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. If convicted of the Burglary Charge as an adult, Mr. Sprowls’ client could have been sentenced to anywhere between 5 and 25 years in state prison. In October, 2008, after extensive investigation and interviews with witnesses, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and his client’s bright future remained intact.
February, 2008
Five people were arrested in a commercial establishment during the execution of a search warrant. The store was a "weed spot" and had been selling to a steady stream of customers for months.

Mr. Sprowls' client was in the common area of the store when the police entered and no marijuana was found on his person.

Within a month of his arrest, Mr. Sprowls got the case against his client dismissed.
December, 2007
Two men were arrested in the City of Newburgh and charged with multiple Class D Felonies, including Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. Mr. Sprowls' client had a lengthy criminal record going back over thirty years with a prior felony conviction. The D.A. was out for blood and insisted that the two men would go to state prison for these crimes.

Of course, Mr. Sprowls could represent only one of the defendants. After investigating the case and researching the applicable law, Mr. Sprowls advised his client to refuse all plea offers and to remain ready for trial.

The co-defendant was subsequently indicted and his case was transferred to County Court where he is looking at a state prison sentence.

Mr. Sprowls' client is now a free man. Because Mr. Sprowls knew the law and the facts of the case, all of the charges were dismissed and the defendant is home with his family.