The previous version of this section attempted to distinguish between felony and misdemeanor violations through a series of aggravating circumstances. Many of the aggravating circumstances are arguably in essence violations of state law. The drafters have concluded, that in the interest of fairness, proportionality, and practicability, the felony or misdemeanor classification of a violation of section 8.08 will be based on the felony or misdemeanor status of the underlying violation of state or federal law. If state or federal law has already determined that the underlying offense is either a felony or misdemeanor, then a charge predicated upon this underlying offense should have a proportionate penalty. Corp. Co., v.
Vigilantes tend to fill the gaps left open by legitimate authorities.
As internet criminal investigation is still in the relatively new and formative stage, the internet is a breeding ground for vigilante activities. Vigilantes have emerged on the Internet as bounty hunters to impose their own brand of law and order. In essence, vigilantes bring their own brand of justice to the Internet in which they commit crimes in pursuing and investigating illegal activity or the prior activities of an alleged criminal. It is not the intent of the drafters to curtail the lawful reporting of internet crime. Rather, this section has been created to make it unlawful for anyone to take the law into their own hands, and as a result, commit another criminal offense.