Q: Ex pretended to be me in a fake text convo and sent it to my wife. What are my options?

A: While upsetting, I don't hear a crime or tort here, unless the damages are truly severe, e.g., intentional infliction of severe emotional distress: http://www.nycbar.org/get-legal-help/article/personal-injury-and-accidents/infliction-emotional-distress/.

More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law practice website, www.AEesq.com. I practice law in CA, NY, MA, and DC in the following areas of law: Business & Contracts, Criminal Defense, Divorce & Child Custody, and Education Law. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any Attorney-Client relationship.

A: Technically I agree with Mr. Ebrahimadeh, but a case could be made criminally for disorderly conduct under section 240.20 subsection 7 in that she "created a hazardous or...offensive condition by any act". You can google DA report form for you county and fill it out. Also, civilly, a case for defamation could certainly be made, but your damages would not be overly significant. That said, I would recommend filing a defamation suit in small claims court (although not technically, in NY it is a court of equity, meaning fairness) for $5,000 (the max allowed). It costs only $20, so it is worth a shot. A. Your ex could end up not appearing and you would be awarded a default judgment or B. You simply state the above to the judge and hope he rules for you "in equity"; basically the argument is that your ex is a snake who illegally impersonated you and disrupted your family. C. It might not get to a judge but rather an arbitrator (in fact you have to say "by the Court" and appear multiple times for it to get to a judge) who will arrange a settlement. D. You can get injunctive relief barring your ex from doing this or something similar again . --- Thus, I would recommend, if anything, filing a small claims suit...you get nothing from filing criminal charges and either it will be dropped or the DA will refuse to prosecute. Filing in Civil Court ($5000-$25,000 claims) or Supreme Court (claims above $25,000) would likely not be worth your time and/or money and you would likely need a lawyer...plus they go directly by the CPLR and the NY Substantive law without taking equity into account.

Throw down $20 and see what happens

Aubrey C. Galloway III, Esq.