PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Paul Elizondo
AU  - Dale E. McNiel
AU  - Renée Binder
TI  - A Review of Statutes and the Role of the Forensic Psychiatrist in Cyberstalking Involving Youth
AID  - 10.29158/JAAPL.003831-19
DP  - 2019 Jun 01
TA  - Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online
PG  - 198--207
VI  - 47
IP  - 2
4099  - http://jaapl.org/content/47/2/198.short
4100  - http://jaapl.org/content/47/2/198.full
SO  - J Am Acad Psychiatry Law2019 Jun 01; 47
AB  - Adolescents are increasingly exposed to Internet-facilitated crime as they spend more time online. The mental health risks and legal consequences for youth involved in cyberstalking are growing areas of concern. The nature of online stalking presents several challenges regarding investigation, fair adjudication, fact-finding, and legislation. Laws governing online stalking behaviors inconsistently reference the age of a victim or perpetrator as a factor for consideration in case disposition. During adjudication, the forensic psychiatrist may be asked to evaluate the victim or perpetrator involved in cyberstalking. This article focuses on the current legal landscape governing cyberstalking behavior involving adolescents, the roles a forensic psychiatrist may assume in this context, and the opportunity to bring a developmental perspective to these cases.