Police can seize computers and other personal property, however, they must have EVIDENCE that you are using that particular machine to commit a crime. Harrassment is usually a Civil Infraction (depending upon where you live) and not a Criminal charge. The person making these claims against you may take you into Civil court and sue you for damages resulting from harrassment, but they will still need evidence that it was in fact YOU! Criminal activity will have had to occur in order for the police to obtain a warrant to take your property (in this case, your computer--and, yes, they HAVE TO HAVE a WARRANT!). The person making the accusations against you may have consulted the police, and they may choose to assist him/her in the process of tracing the IP Address of the e-mails, but after that, it is only a Civil matter. Now if that person is claiming THREATS or they feel that their life is being threatened, it IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE! And your IP address can be traced by authorities as well as your Internet Service Provider, and they can obtain the actual physical address (street address) from which this communication originated. So, if it wasn't you, don't worry! Furthermore, most ISP's have a policy against electronic forms of harrassment, and if you have been doing so, your provider has the RIGHT to disconnect your service! So be very careful about this behavior. All it takes is for 3 of those e-mails to be forwarded to the Customer Service/Complaints Division of your ISP, and if they trace them back to your account, your service WILL be interrupted! I hope this information has helped you!
2006-10-24 00:05:40
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answer #1
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answered by Ltown29m 1
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The best I know, they would need a warrant to search and seize. But the warrant means they have to convince a judge that firm evidence exists to search your house. There is still some debate as to whether a warrant to search a home entails the right to confiscate a computer (since the request for warrant must explain the purview of what's to be searched and why.....
2006-10-23 23:54:47
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answer #2
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answered by stretch 7
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,the accuser has to show solid proof, emails ,text messages from your computer with your ID,your sever etc may I add you can call police and ask also tell them whats going on if you have not harassed the accuser
2006-10-23 23:54:22
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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The same thing happend to me but I just took the hard drive out of my computer and put it in the fireplace and all they got was ashes!
2006-10-24 00:34:30
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answer #4
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answered by Lots of money but no sense 2
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They would need solid proof to take away your computer
2006-10-23 23:56:20
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answer #5
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answered by Sarah M 2
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Yeah, a search warrant would definitely be needed.
~Scottie
2006-10-23 23:56:27
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answer #6
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answered by Scott T 6
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They do have the authority to do so. All they need is probable cause.
2006-10-23 23:57:51
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answer #7
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answered by Mr. BIG 6
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Study the Law!!!
Under any circumstances of any illegal behavior!!!
2006-10-23 23:55:42
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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they would need a search warrant
2006-10-23 23:51:19
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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