Sylvester comments on Ariz. cyber harrassment case

A report on ABC News.com about a cyber harassment case in Arizona included comments from Douglas Sylvester, associate dean for Faculty Research and Development at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

The report, by Ki Mae Heussner, focused on a Surprise woman whose Facebook page and e-mail were hacked into last summer by a person who impersonated her online and sent a series of messages that convinced the woman's family and friends she was on the verge of suicide.

Local police briefly investigated the crime, then notified the FBI for further possible action, because no city or state laws apparently have been broken. Sylvester said a state criminal statute likely would not apply in the case, but under federal law, hacking into someone else's account is a criminal offense.

"Criminal law assigns itself to the most egregious results," he said, noting that cases lacking physical harm or financial losses are prosecuted as civil cases. Although unfamiliar with the details of the case, Sylvester said, the woman may be able to claim psychological and emotional distress in a civil lawsuit.

Janie Magruder, [email protected]
(480) 727-9052
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law