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  1. #1
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    Default When do Mean Statements Become Harrassment

    My question involves criminal law for the state of: WA
    "I hope you have cancer "
    "I hope you have AIDS"
    Can those be viewed as death threats while someone can never carry those actions.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Harrassment

    How is that a death threat? Hoping something happens to someone isn't really a threat. Also you can't make someone get cancer. If you have sex with someone and you know you have HIV or AIDS and you don't tell that partner that you have either, you might face legal trouble for that.

    I can't see how either of those are death threats.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Harrassment

    That is exactly what I think. It's interesting when I saw a news saying oscar accountants are forced to get bodyguards because of death threats on the media such as " I hope you get fired and get cancer" etc.... I don't even think those are threats, let alone death threats.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Harrassment

    Quote Quoting outofcuriousity
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    That is exactly what I think. It's interesting when I saw a news saying oscar accountants are forced to get bodyguards because of death threats on the media such as " I hope you get fired and get cancer" etc.... I don't even think those are threats, let alone death threats.
    I guarantee that those weren't the only threats they received. People get very nasty on the Internet. They can hire any type of security they wish to hire if they feel they are being threatened. If someone made me feel threatened I could hire a security guard. Why is that a problem for you?

    This is what prompted them to hire security (not force them): "Sources at the firm told TMZ that photos that emerged online of the beleaguered pair’s homes made it clear that some hired muscle was needed." Someone was posting their homes and addresses online. That is getting a bit stalkerish and creepy. Someone also said they would "f***" them "every day." I'm sure there were much worse ones but what made them get their own security is people posting their homes online.

    The fact anyone would threaten them because they mistakenly gave the wrong envelope for an OSCAR award just shows how ridiculous our culture and society have become. It's not the biggest deal in the world in the grand scheme of things. Just like people threatening that ref from the Kentucky/UNC game. It's just a game.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Harrassment

    Quote Quoting qwaspolk69
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    I guarantee that those weren't the only threats they received. People get very nasty on the Internet. They can hire any type of security they wish to hire if they feel they are being threatened. If someone made me feel threatened I could hire a security guard. Why is that a problem for you?

    This is what prompted them to hire security (not force them): "Sources at the firm told TMZ that photos that emerged online of the beleaguered pair’s homes made it clear that some hired muscle was needed." Someone was posting their homes and addresses online. That is getting a bit stalkerish and creepy. Someone also said they would "f***" them "every day." I'm sure there were much worse ones but what made them get their own security is people posting their homes online.

    The fact anyone would threaten them because they mistakenly gave the wrong envelope for an OSCAR award just shows how ridiculous our culture and society have become. It's not the biggest deal in the world in the grand scheme of things. Just like people threatening that ref from the Kentucky/UNC game. It's just a game.
    No, they hired bodyguards are not a problem to me at all. Lol

    I am just saying because I was looking how people define threats online from different forum, not sure why people think " I hope you have cancer /aids" are threats.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Harrassment

    Quote Quoting outofcuriousity
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    No, they hired bodyguards are not a problem to me at all. Lol

    I am just saying because I was looking how people define threats online from different forum, not sure why people think " I hope you have cancer /aids" are threats.
    That was not the only threat they received. I don't know why articles choose that statement but every one I read said "statements like..." were received.

    But also the article state that they did not get security UNTIL pictures of their homes were posted. So it wasn't the threats that prompted hiring private security. It was the fact people were finding out where they live and posting their homes and addresses to the public. THAT is likely what was deemed a threat. The articles state that they received threats and online harassment.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: When do Mean Statements Become Harrassment

    The statements you give are not death threats nor do they meet the definition of “harassment” as used in RCW 9A.46.020. However, they COULD constitute a violation of the stalking statute, RCW 9A.46.110. If these or similar statements were directed to another person two or more times (especially if after being told not to contact that person again), they could certainly be viewed as intended to cause the other person emotional distress.

    RCW 9A.46.110
    Stalking.
    (1) A person commits the crime of stalking if, without lawful authority and under circumstances not amounting to a felony attempt of another crime:

    (a) He or she intentionally and repeatedly harasses or repeatedly follows another person; and

    (b) The person being harassed or followed is placed in fear that the stalker intends to injure the person, another person, or property of the person or of another person. The feeling of fear must be one that a reasonable person in the same situation would experience under all the circumstances; and

    (c) The stalker either:

    (i) Intends to frighten, intimidate, or harass the person; or

    (ii) Knows or reasonably should know that the person is afraid, intimidated, or harassed even if the stalker did not intend to place the person in fear or intimidate or harass the person.

    (2)(a) It is not a defense to the crime of stalking under subsection (1)(c)(i) of this section that the stalker was not given actual notice that the person did not want the stalker to contact or follow the person; and

    (b) It is not a defense to the crime of stalking under subsection (1)(c)(ii) of this section that the stalker did not intend to frighten, intimidate, or harass the person.

    (3) It shall be a defense to the crime of stalking that the defendant is a licensed private investigator acting within the capacity of his or her license as provided by chapter 18.165 RCW.

    (4) Attempts to contact or follow the person after being given actual notice that the person does not want to be contacted or followed constitutes prima facie evidence that the stalker intends to intimidate or harass the person. "Contact" includes, in addition to any other form of contact or communication, the sending of an electronic communication to the person.

    The term “harassment” in this statute has this definition.

    RCW 10.14.020
    Definitions.
    Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
    (2) "Unlawful harassment" means a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person which seriously alarms, annoys, harasses, or is detrimental to such person, and which serves no legitimate or lawful purpose. The course of conduct shall be such as would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, and shall actually cause substantial emotional distress to the petitioner, or, when the course of conduct would cause a reasonable parent to fear for the well-being of their child.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: When do Mean Statements Become Harrassment

    The bottomline is that the attorneys who screwed up at the Oscars have stated they have received threats and harassment online. However they did not hire private security UNTIL someone posted photos of their homes online.

    No one in this case has been charged with harassment. They simply hired security because people online are making threats to them and posting their addresses and photos of their homes online to further constitute harassment at their home. I don't blame them for hiring their own security. I'd be worried if some psychos online posted a photo of my home. People need to chill out and stop making death threats over insignificant stuff.

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