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877-791-8076 / StoberLaw.com
New York’s court system
struck down a local law that made cyberbullying a crime. The New York Court of Appeals found that the
law was in violation of the First Amendment.
The court’s ruling could serve as a guideline for other court cases that
challenge cyberbullying laws.
The Albany law was
called into question by Cohoes High School student Marquan W. Mackey-Meggs, the
first to be charged under the law. The
student pled guilty under the condition that he could challenge the
constitutionality of the law. It was
determined that although the First Amendment may allow for a cyberbullying
statute of limited nature, the existing local law was too broad.
Corey Stoughton of the
New York Civil Liberties Union, representing Mr. Mackey-Meggs, agreed that
cyberbullying is a serious concern.
However, he argued that “there are better and more constructive ways to address
the problem than giving children criminal records.”
County Executive Daniel
P McCoy is working with county legislature to create a new law aimed to reduce
cyberbullying of children that takes this court decision into consideration.
Read more about the
cyberbullying case in the
Wall Street Journal.
You can contact the Law Offices of Louis D. Stober Jr. with all of your
legal questions. Our experience, combined with our successful track record
makes us Long Island’s premier law firm. Contact our office for a
consultation by calling 877-791-8076. You can also like us on Facebook and follow
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latest news stories and legal tips.
photo credit: Joanka.Torres via photopin cc
