Schaumburg to prosecute cyberbullying, sexting offenses in-house, bypass courts
Schaumburg trustees Tuesday continued preparations for a new local adjudication system to start in January by defining offenses such as cyberbullying, electronic harassment, sexting and possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana in the village code.
The village's goal is to prosecute most such local code violations through an in-house adjudication system that bypasses the circuit court except for appeals.
Although the offenses added to the village code Tuesday are criminal in nature and handled by the police department, the community development department this fall intends to add its own list of property code violations to the adjudication system.
Schaumburg Police Chief James Lamkin said the offenses of cyberbullying and sexting usually involve minors under the age of 18 and could be prosecuted through a peer jury as well as the village's adjudication system.
Sexting is the term often applied to the distribution of indecent photos — usually of minors to other minors — via electronic devices.
These offenses as well as electronic harassment would carry possible penalties of a fine between $100 and $750 plus administrative costs. Bullying and sexting could also result in counseling or community service.
“These kind of laws are more about being a deterrent than a consequence,” Lamkin said.
In the spring, the Cook County state's attorney's office stopped prosecuting charges of possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana — though it is still illegal. However, through the change in the village code Tuesday, Schaumburg officers will be able to bring charges of possession of small amounts of marijuana or drug paraphernalia to the local adjudication system.
“From a community standpoint, we have a responsibility to respond to such complaints,” Lamkin said.
Such violations would carry a fine from $100 to $750 plus administrative costs.
Schaumburg is planning to spend about $75,000 on computer software for the adjudication system this fall and appoint an attorney to act as adjudication officer — equivalent to the role of judge.