Judas Priest

I know it's fundamentally illegal in the U.S. to post a threat, or verbally abuse someone or some entity (including a company) on the internet.  People are going to jail for it.  Are there international laws which apply as well?
 
Just idle curiosity...

Actually, I asked a homicide detective this very question 2 weeks ago while working on a cable syndicated crime news show.

He explained that no one in Law Enforcement is going to lift a finger until the threat coincides with practical means and imminent possibility.

I have a friend who has received a few very specific and documented threats and the best that might be done is to request a short term injunction. I had advised my friend to have the verbal assailant thrown in jail but the detective explained that it is just not possible.

best regards,
mike

which one?

craigb


Wow, such (mostly) helpful replies!  And here all that came to my mind immediately was the Judas Priest song...

 
 
Better by You, Better than Me
 
 
 

Breaking the Law.  A little Clockwork Orange in that song, I think...

I think I've watched that movie at least three dozen times...  (it took about four watchings just to understand the made-up language used!).

MNorman


I know it's fundamentally illegal in the U.S. to post a threat, or verbally abuse someone or some entity (including a company) on the internet.  People are going to jail for it.  Are there international laws which apply as well?
 
Just idle curiosity...

Yes, there are international laws, to a point.   Under US Code, Title 18 there is a section dealing with exactly what you describe and there are cases that have resulted in fines, but I don't recall just now the nature of the relief sought by the prosecutors.  You can look up the title for details - somewhere in chapter 41 I think. If you have access to FindLaw you can get more details.
 
 
 
EDIT:
 
Ok, found it.  It was Chap 41 (surprised myself !).   The part of this that is relevant to your question is in para(c), and it covers internet and cell phones.  It is a federal crime and the fine can be up to $250K and 5 years in prison.   I would add that simple abuse (name calling and such) is not going to hit anyones radar so to speak.  It needs to be a threat of injury or worse.
   
 
TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 41 > § 875 Interstate communications
a) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any demand or request for a ransom or reward for the release of any kidnapped person, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
 
(b) Whoever, with intent to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value, transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both.
 
(c) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
 
(d) Whoever, with intent to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value, transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to injure the property or reputation of the addressee or of another or the reputation of a deceased person or any threat to accuse the addressee or any other person of a crime, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
 

Yeah, thats the chapter.   I knew it was 41, but forgot the section.   Section 875 is where the rest of us mortals would gain relief.

I think a later (unquoted) section says that it's all about Bapu, in the end...

bapu


All of that Law and not one word about Bapu.

pffffft!

 
 
And not one mention of VeRy MeTaL's cover of Living After Midnight either
 
 

bapu


All of that Law and not one word about Bapu.

pffffft!

Actually, I failed to cite para(d) which reads:
 
(d)Whoever, with intent to use Am upon any person, firm, association, or corporation, or extort any money or other thing of value without written consent from Bapu, from the use of Am in interstate or foreign commerce or pose sufficient threat to injure the property or reputation of the Bapu shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both. 
 
My apologies to the Bapu. 

Katie_Katie

 
My apologies to the Bapu. 

That's all well and good Katie² - but did you give me old song 5 stars?
 
 
 
I believe Bapsi has a link somewhere.
 
 

MNorman


http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/search/display.html?terms=threats&url=/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sup_01_18_10_I_20_41.html

Interesting.  So, if I lose my temper here and threaten someone with bodily harm, and given that my IP Address is a matter of record (or my position easily discerned), the only thing keeping me from 5 years in prison and a quarter of a million dollar fine, is the absence of motivation of anyone witnessing the act, to report it, and follow through with prosecution...
 
In the words of a good friend, "kinda makes you tink, don't it?"

The reality check is that there is a broad gray line between First Amendment rights and the subjective intent in a message.  Put that into the crucible of a True Threat Test and you are likely to come up with thin air.  The courts seem to sway towards selective protection (now there's a surprise) with this code. Your better off being the President -  threats against them always seem to pass the True Threat Test. 

quantumeffect

I think I've watched that movie at least three dozen times...  (it took about four watchings just to understand the made-up language used!).

WOW ... was that back-to-back? I would have to have my eyelids forcibly held open while having saline dripped in if I attempted something like that.

I think the most I ever saw it was three times in two days with friends.  Then about twice a month, once a month, once every three months, etc.  Haven't seen it for about three years now (just about time, eh?).