Prosecutor Charges Husband with Crime for Reading Wife's eMails!

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Peter S. Vogel

While a Michigan couple was married the husband and wife shared a computer and the husband had access to his wife’s email password…. but according to the Detroit Free Press he ex-husband has now been charged with a felony for looking at his ex-wife's emails. 

Should it be a crime or divorce court dispute for the husband to view his wife’s gmail?

My February 2011 Technology Law Column in the eCommerce Times has the complete story, including the comments of nationally recognized criminal defense lawyer Barry Sorrels (the current President of the Dallas Bar Association). 

Barry and I were interviewed on Fox News about this case and he “wondered if this "type of matter was the highest and best use of the criminal justice system.... There are more serious matters."

What do you think?

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Comments (2) Read through and enter the discussion with the form at the end
Janet Hansmeier - January 13, 2011 8:49 AM

I'm pretty sure I don't want my tax dollars spent this way

Jan,

I'm most people agree with you!

Peter

John Winslow - January 13, 2011 12:25 PM

Peter touched on an interesting aspect of email and social media trends. These methods of communication, unlike face to face or phone communications, are prone to potentially create more conflict due to the phenomenon of "electronic courage" - that uninhibited communication mode which flows forth without the restraint present in face to face communication.

John,

Thanks for your thoughtful comment.

Peter

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