	AllExperts > Criminal Law
	Search

About Jack Toomey
Expertise
Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. Only a judge could answer a question like that. I am also NOT a probation officer or parole officer so I cannot answer questions that relate to parole or probation. Also please keep in mind that every state has different laws. If you are planning to ask a question about a specific law or criminal charge that pertains to your state only it could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or what not to do in court. Retired police officer with 26 years experience. Worked in the patrol division as well as over 14 years in the detective bureau. Investigated a wide range of crime such as murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, and other very sensitive crimes. I am available to answer your questions about criminal law and especially as it applies to police work. I taught at the police academy for several years and am especially knowledgeable about search and seizure. Any question about criminal law is welcome! Please don't ask me to do your homework or ask me questions that obviously come from your teachers or professors. I also do not do online interviews or surveys. Young people need to gain face to face interviewing skills. Local police officers usually are very agreeable to assist in these assignments.

Experience
I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience. I investigated almost every type of crime including murder, rape, theft, mising persons, fraud, and domestic abuse. I am very knowledgeable about search and seizure and taught at the police academy for several years on a variety of subjects. I can answer questions that a lot of attorneys cannot since they do not have "street experience".

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science degree in Criminolgy from the University of Maryland.

You are here: Experts > News/Issues > Crime/Punishment > Criminal Law > Text Harassment?

Criminal Law - Text Harassment?

Expert: Jack Toomey - 10/31/2009

Question
I'm a bit of a good girl. I don't drink, do drugs, smoke, or instigate unnecessary drama. I'm also 20 and without a whole lot of real world experience which is why I need to ask-

Recently an ex fling of mine randomly saw me at one of my jobs. I sent him a friendly text later that week just to say hey and he's been asking me to get him discounts ever since. Today, I finally snapped and told him that I remembered why I stopped talking to him in the first place, that he was lame when we were together etc etc. Now, I was certainly in the wrong to insult him but he kept telling me that we were friends and friends help each other..

This text conversation or fight went on for at least an hour (I had to clear all my messages twice because he sent so many). He started calling me young and an infant and where as I probably shouldn't have replied at that point, I did with the basic concept that he didn't know anything about me. Every reply I sent him earned three or four texts in response which summed up to that I was young, as I mentioned, and that I was poor and wouldn't go anywhere in life etc etc. I wasn't necessarily upset until he'd send "Stop texting me" but then follow with another few texts about how stupid and young I was.

Finally, I recieved:
Do you understand what I asked you. (6:17pm)
--To which I replied 'Just stop texting me, thanks.' (6:17pm)

Listen I just told my friend to make a report for your harassing textings (6:17pm)
09-09223 this is a case number and my friend is putting in the report. (6:18pm)
He is going to submit it tonight because you wont listen. (6:18pm)

I didn't send him anything after that but in all honesty nothing I said was threatening or meant to be harassing. I know I should have just ignored him or listened when he first asked me to stop texting him but when he'd follow with three or four messages and it seemed like it wouldn't stop i felt like I had to say something.

Do you think he seriously filed a report? He's immature and used to lie about being a police officer but I don't know how many people would lie about it- and if he DID, what is going to happen to me? Will I be arrested? Should I keep those texts in my phone just in case? Am I at a serious fault?

Answer
Amber,

I have to start with the obvious. I cannot understand why young people need to have text battles when they can simply pick up the telephone and talk. I am afraid that your generation is afraid of direct communication and thus you guys need this texting stuff. I get this kind of question all of the time.

Secondly if you don't want to hear from the guy then don't even read his texts. DELETE everything that comes from him. He is only getting the satisfaction that he is annoying you and that is enough for him to feel superior.

Now to answer your question. "Friends" do not make police reports. That is b.s. No police officer or department would allow someone to walk in and make a harasment complaint for someone else. He is most likely lying. He just wants to scare you. But yes.....you should save the texts just in case. But anyone who used to claim that he is a police officer is probably a habitual liar thus his claim that his "friend" made a police report.

Ask a Question