Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Hello.

I recently made a huge mistake and I don't know what to do. I was very stupid one day and decided to play on the internet (youtube.com) and pretend as if I had a stalker who was trying to kill me in order to get publicity for my youtube channel. I was very bored and I know it was a stupid thing to do, but the point is I did it. I even went so far as to create a new account on youtube and pretend to be the stalker who was trying to kill me. There was a third party person who was getting involved and I made the even bigger mistake of threatening to cut off my fingers and send it to him if he didn't stop talking to me. I was also using the "N" word frequently and stating that my motives for all of this is to promote the white race and end race mixing. I tried to make myself seem like a white supremesist.

The other person who I made this threat to became scared and contacted the FBI to report me. He doesn't know that I was playing a practical joke on him and I am still in contact with him so that I can know if he is truely pursuing FBI help. He says he seriously contacted the FBI and now the FBI wants my phone number so that they can reach me since I am the victim of the threats I made against myself (Do you understand? I am the victim and the person who is threatening me at the same time). But I don't know if I can trust him, because I asked him for the number of the FBI so that I could call them and straighten out the situation, but he says he doesn't have their number. and they will call him to get my number.

Anyway, I am extremely afriad now because I don't want to go to jail for terrorist threats and have this stupid joke ruin my life. It really went out of hand. I am not a minor, I am 23 years old and I am studying abroad in Canada, but I am a US citizen. I am also a black female, so I am definately not a white supremesist. I was just playing a stupid joke and it went too far. I don't know what to do. Please help me! Its urgent!

The guy who reported me lives in L.A California. So I am guessing he contacted FBI there. I am not sure. But I live in Canada studying. What must I do in order to protect myself and not go to jail or have this on my record?


Asked on 9/04/10, 10:58 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

1. Hang up from the internet.

2. Turn off your computer.

3. Take your computer and, being careful to obey all environmental laws, throw it off a high cliff or into the nearest suitably deep body of water.

4. If you are contacted by law enforcement, say nothing at all, do not consent to a search, and ask for a lawyer. Do not go to the police station.

5. Stay off the air for at least several months. Discover the joys of reading books.

6. Pray.

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Answered on 9/10/10, 3:04 am
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Too late to protect yourself, you now wait for the consequences to materialize. If you are contacted by authorities, say nothing and immediately hire an attorney. If you are charged in Southern California courts, then feel free to contact me if serious about getting legal help.

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Answered on 9/13/10, 12:41 pm
Steven Mandell Law Offices of Steven R. Mandell

In addition to the 2 prior answers (which are both good), I write to add that it sounds like the FBI story isn't really true, that they aren't trying to contact you, and that the entire thing will blow over in some period of time. However, you're never going to get a letter saying that the investigation is over. You'll just have to wait it out. If I'm wrong, and you do get contacted by the FBI or any other police agency, then my advice is the same as Stone and Nelson: don't talk to them, don't go to where they are, and contact a criminal lawyer in, say, Santa Monica, to assist you. Good luck. Steve Mandell, Santa Monica, CA; 310 393 0639

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Answered on 9/14/10, 3:46 pm


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