Understanding Michigan’s Cyberbullying Law
With the ever-expanding digital landscape, cyberbullying has become a harsh reality for many. Michigan, recognizing its seriousness, has established specific laws to address this issue.
Here’s some things you need to know
What does the law say?
MCL 750.411x defines cyberbullying as posting a message in a public online forum about someone with the intent to threaten them with violence. This means simply posting something mean online doesn’t qualify as cyberbullying under this law.
However, if the post expresses a clear intention to harm the person, putting them in fear of bodily injury or death, it might be considered cyberbullying.
Definition
(6) As used in this section:
What are the penalties?
A first offense is punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine. If the offender has a prior cyberbullying conviction, the penalties increase to a maximum of 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Remember, these are just the legal consequences; cyberbullying can also have lasting social and emotional repercussions.
Have your rights been violated?
Have your driving priviledges been revoked?
Has your professional license been suspended?
Second Amendment rights taken away?
Have you been charged with a crime?
Call our office to see if we can help
Komorn Law 248-357-2550
What can you do if you’re cyberbullied?
If you encounter cyberbullying, don’t engage. Report the incident to the platform where it occurred and keep evidence like screenshots. Consider talking to a trusted adult or seeking help from organizations like Cyberbullying Research Center or StopBullying.gov. Remember, you’re not alone.
Staying safe online:
- Think before you post: Consider the potential impact of your words before hitting “send.”
- Respect others: Treat everyone online with the same respect you’d show in person.
- Protect your privacy: Be mindful of what personal information you share online.
- Report cyberbullying: Don’t be silent; report incidents to the platform and seek help if needed.
MCL 750.411x serves as a safeguard against online threats, but remember, online safety is a shared responsibility. By understanding the law, respecting others, and reporting harmful behavior, we can create a more positive and inclusive digital space for everyone.
Related Articles
Forensic Science Division – DNA Profiling System
The Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division (FSD) DNA Profiling System is a comprehensive program that uses DNA analysis to support criminal investigations throughout the state. The system is housed within the Biometrics and Identification Division (BID),...
Examining Michigan’s Act 247 and the Publication of Notices
Are Newspapers Still the Town Crier in a Digital Age? Examining Michigan's Act 247 and the Publication of Notices In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of traditional media like newspapers is constantly under scrutiny. Yet, in Michigan, a 1963 law,...
Can employers test for weed in 2024?
A bill enacted into California law in 2024 prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals based on their off-duty and off-site use of cannabis, as it relates to their employment. The bill provides an extra level of safeguard for marijuana users in...
Understanding the Process and Rules of Impeachment in Michigan
Understanding the Process and Rules of Impeachment in MichiganMichigan's history with impeachment is relatively short, with the first and only instance occurring in 1975 against Governor William Milliken. However, the process outlined in the state's constitution and...
More Posts
Department of Attorney General Prepares for MLEAC Accreditation
LANSING – The Michigan Department of Attorney General (DAG) recently welcomed a team of assessors from the Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (MLEAC). The assessors came to examine all aspects of the Department’s compliance with the MLEAC standards in...
Oklahoma’s wild marijuana market is about to shrivel
The world's weed market, once booming with nearly 14,000 licensed medical marijuana businesses at its peak, has experienced a steady decline since Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly rejected a recreational legalization referendum in March. Heightened enforcement by state...
400K settlement after being arrested for a DUI, even though he passed breath and blood tests
A Colorado man is poised to receive a $400,000 settlement from city authorities after being wrongfully arrested for a DUI, even though he had passed both a breath and blood test.According to the complaint, Elias was driving southbound on College Avenue in Fort Collins...
When Being Questioned by the Police: Can They Lie to You?
When Being Questioned by the Police: Can They Lie to You? Introduction In the United States, police officers are generally allowed to lie to suspects during interrogations. This is a controversial practice, but it has been upheld by the Supreme Court. There are some...
Ohio Bill Introduced to Allow Each City to Ban Marijuana
With just over a week until Ohio’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law takes effect, a lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow individual municipalities to locally ban the use and home cultivation of cannabis in their jurisdictions. The legislation aims...
Appeals Court – Detroit’s Asset Forfeiture Violates Due Process
A federal circuit judge writes that Detroit's vehicle seizure scheme "is simply a money-making venture—one most often used to extort money from those who can least afford it." A panel of federal appellate judges ruled that Detroit's practice of seizing people's cars...
NEWS RELEASE: USSC Adopts 2023 Amendments
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― Equipped with a quorum of Commissioners for the first time since 2018, the bipartisan United States Sentencing Commission voted today to promulgate amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines. “The Sentencing Commission is back in business,”...
Bad Ranking For Transparency in the Michigan Justice System
by Wes Smith, president, MPA Board of DirectorsPublisher View Newspaper Group When there was a change in leadership in Michigan’s legislature earlier this year, hope rose again in the hearts of citizens who want a more transparent state government. Maybe, it was...
Ohio voters say yes to legal recreational cannabis
Recreational marijuana has been legalized in Ohio as voters overwhelmingly approved State Issue 2 on Tuesday. This groundbreaking decision now enables adults in Ohio to legally experience the advantages of marijuana for recreational purposes. “Marijuana is no longer a...
Smell of Marijuana is Not Enough to Search Your Vehicle or is it?
The Smell of Marijuana and the Court of Appeals Body camera footage is an invaluable resource for courts facing suppression motions, but it rarely serves as a stand-alone source of information about a warrantless search or seizure. Here, the trial court was hamstrung...
