California has recently enacted new stalking and criminal threats laws in order to give more protection to California school teachers.  Through the enactment of new stalking and criminal threats laws, it is now a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine, to publish information on the internet or otherwise, describing or depicting an academic researcher or their immediate family, or the location or locations where an academic researcher or immediate family members may be found, with the intent that another person use the information to commit a crime involving violence or a threat of violence against an academic researcher or their family members.  The new law is codified in Penal Code section 422.4.

However, the new law not only protects teachers from cyber stalking and harassment, it is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and/or a $1,000 fine, applicable to anyone with intent to place any person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of their immediate family, by means of an electronic communication device such as telephones, cell phones, computers, Internet Web pages or sites, Internet phones, hybrid cellular/Internet/wireless devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video recorders, fax machines, or pagers.  This includes electronically distributing, publishing, e-mailing, hyperlinking, or making another's personal information available for downloading.  See Penal Code section 653.2.

If you know anyone who requires an attorney for Cyber-Stalking in California, contact  Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Robert M. Bernstein.