State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Rhode-island > Title-11 > Chapter-11-52 > 11-52-4-2SECTION 11-52-4.2
§ 11-52-4.2 Cyberstalking andcyberharassment prohibited. – (a) Whoever transmits any communication by computer or other electronic deviceto any person or causes any person to be contacted for the sole purpose ofharassing that person or his or her family is guilty of a misdemeanor, andshall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), byimprisonment for not more than one year, or both. For the purpose of thissection, "harassing" means any knowing and willful course of conduct directedat a specific person which seriously alarms, annoys, or bothers the person, andwhich serves no legitimate purpose. The course of conduct must be of a kindthat would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress,or be in fear of bodily injury. "Course of conduct" means a pattern of conductcomposed of a series of acts over a period of time, evidencing a continuity ofpurpose. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaningof "course of conduct."
(b) A second or subsequent conviction under subsection (a) ofthis section shall be deemed a felony punishable by imprisonment for not morethan two (2) years, by a fine of not more than six thousand dollars ($6,000),or both.
