Georgia Stalking
There are many talk shows, made-for-TV-movies and soap opera dramas that promote stalking, almost glorifying the act in some sick way. It is always the same story. A young girl and her overly jealous boyfriend have an argument, break up and the ex-boyfriend seems to show up every time she turns around. But stalking is a serious criminal offense and not something that can be solved in a 30-minute segment. If you or someone you know have recently been charged with stalking, you need a lawyer who specializes in this complicated area of law.
Stalking can occur when one person is following another person repeatedly. Stalking can also be much more serious than that and may involve verbal threats, property damage and any contact that may be deemed as harassment. Stalking can even be an annoyance where one person is constantly calling, showing up at the workplace or knocking on someone’s door. Leaving a threatening message to someone or threatening to harm a person’s friend or relative is also considered stalking. When a person fears that another person may try to hurt him or her, they may contact the police and press charges against a potential stalker.
So the next time you’re flipping through the channels on TV, remember that stalking is not how normal relationships begin or even end. It is a serious crime; in fact, if convicted, stalking is a felony.
Why you need a lawyer to defend your stalking charge
In many states, stalking can mean up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. Since stalking is often closely related to a restraining order against that same person, you can face harsh penalties for stalking a person who has a restraining order against you. In fact, the jail time is three to five years in state prison for violating a restraining order.
And if you have been charged with stalking in the past, you’ll also face three to five years in prison. If your stalking charge was quite serious, your state may make you register as a sex offender.
If you’d like to avoid any of these charges or have them reduced, you’ll want to contact a defense attorney right away.
