Gathering Evidence For A Criminal Case

[wroughtmonster]

Is it illegal to gather evidence on your own for a criminal case? Specifically, is it illegal to use a screen name to act as another person on an instant messenger? Doing that, is it then illegal to elicit a confession on the instant messenger?

[Mr. Knowitall]

This is you facing charges? Get a criminal defense lawyer and figure out a discovery strategy with your lawyer.

[seniorjudge]

Is it illegal to gather evidence on your own for a criminal case? Specifically, is it illegal to use a screen name to act as another person on an instant messenger? Doing that, is it then illegal to elicit a confession on the instant messenger?

IMs are easily faked and worthless.

[wroughtmonster]

Actually, I'm the one thinking of pressing charges, though now I'm afraid they may press harrassment charges against me, as they have discovered that I am behind the online impersonations. The guy I'm trying to press charges against lives in New York, can he, because of my IM's, press counter charges of harrassment if he lives in Brooklyn NY. He also threatened to kill me. So I'm not sure which has the stronger case.