The criminal justice system can be daunting, but you don’t need to go through it alone. Our Criminal lawyers are here to guide you every step of the way.
Contact Our Firm
Over the course of the past few years the use of social media platforms has grown at a fast pace. People of ages and backgrounds now use apps such as Facebook and Twitter to share information with the world. While much of the use of these platforms is for positive communication, there are however, some who may feel that its use is for negative.
A man, who tweeted at two Toronto women, considered to be political feminists, is facing a criminal charge for his communications on Twitter. He is charged with criminal harassment. The Crown alleged that he:
The women said they blocked him on the platform and, citing his reference to tweets where he indicated where they were and activities they were engaging in, claimed that his activities caused them to be afraid.
At trial, an issue was whether the women really were afraid. The defence alleged the fact the women were taunting and calling him out on Twitter, illustrated they were not. Instead, the defence sought to characterize the situation as “an ugly political debate during which both sides resorted to childish name-calling.”
The Crown claimed that when someone is being harassed, there is not a specific way that they should respond to such behavior and that fighting back in some situations is normal.
Which characterization the judge ruling on the matter ultimately accepts, remains to be seen. A ruling on the matter is expected in the fall.
