Lex Fabia de epistulis interretialibus (Nova Roma)

If a citizen receives messages by e-mail or instant message from fellow citizens that are of a disturbing nature he or she is entitled to ask the sender to stop.

If the sender does not stop immediately when asked to so, he is breaking Roman law and subject to punishment.

"Disturbing nature" in this instance is content that makes the recipient uncomfortable. It may be, but not restricted to, messages that are sexual in nature, derogatory, or hateful.

Harassed Citizen's Response

Under Roman law citizens are given protection by Government. The citizen must summon the Praetors, and inform them of the offense. This can be done by e-mail, or over the telephone.

The Investigative Procedure

Documenting the offense.

Harassed citizens must have documented proof saved for the investigation. This is done though the saving of the complete offending e-mails, or instant messages. When these documents are saved citizens should include both the offensive messages and replies documenting the request to stop the abuse. Also, documents should include the long headers documenting the originating server. This is to help identify citizens who may be impersonating another's e-mail address. These will be turned over to investigating magistrate via e-mail or FAX.

The Investigation.

The investigating magistrate shall be appointed by the Praetor(s). The investigator can be the Praetor, as well. The investigator will conduct interviews with both parties separately, either through electronic communication or over the telephone. If the magistrate's investigation turns up an infraction of the law, the magistrate will report this back to the Praetor. The Praetor may then review the severity of the transgression for punishment.

Penalties

Confirmed first time offenders are given a warning by the Praetor. However the transgression is to be reported by the investigating Praetor to the censores who will be note such in that citizen's record. This information will be made available to any magistrate by the censors for later investigation if warranted.

If a second transgression occurs, the accused faces a trial if the Praetor considers one to be necessary. If found guilty, punishment is mandatory. This will be expulsion from the Nova Roma list for a certain time, or fines. Notification to the authorities of the guilty citizen's country will also be considered. Following the precepts of the Vedian Constitution, habitual offenders will be permanently banished from Nova Roma after a trial by the Comitia Centuriata, following the precepts of the Vedian Constitution.

The Appeal

The accused has the right to appeal the Praetor's decision concerning any expulsion and request a trial before the committee. If found guilty by the committee, the Praetor will then impose the punishment.