Unlawful posting of certain information over the internet, offense of
It is against the law to post someone's personal information online — like their name, address, phone number, or Social Security number — if the goal is to threaten them or cause them serious harm or death. Doing this is normally a low-level misdemeanor. But if the target is a law enforcement officer, judge, parole officer, corrections officer, commissioner, prosecuting attorney, or one of their close family members, it becomes a more serious felony. If someone actually gets hurt or killed because of the post, it becomes an even more serious felony.
Classifications stated in the statute. Actual outcomes vary.
565.240. of certain over the internet, of — violation, . — 1. A person commits the offense of unlawful posting of certain information over the internet if he or she posts the name, home address, Social number, telephone number, or any other of any person on the internet intending to cause or death, or threatening to cause great bodily harm or death to such person.
2. The offense of unlawful posting of certain information over the internet is a , unless the person knowingly posts on the internet the name, home address, Social Security number, telephone number, or any other personally identifiable information of any , , , judge, , or , or of any of such law enforcement officer, corrections officer, parole officer, judge, commissioner, or prosecuting attorney, intending to cause great bodily harm or death, or threatening to cause great bodily harm or death, in which case it is a , and if such intention or threat results in bodily harm or death to such person or immediate family member, the offense of unlawful posting of certain information over the internet is a .
Tap any gold-underlined word to see what it means.
Source & history notes
(L. 2005 S.B. 420 & 344 § 1, A.L. 2005 1st Ex. Sess. H.B. 3 § 1, A.L. 2014 S.B. 491, A.L. 2021 S.B. 53 & 60, A.L. 2023 S.B. 103) Transferred 2014; formerly 578.450; Effective 1-01-17
Legal information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source at revisor.mo.gov.