If you were accused of Stalking, you have the right to have a lawyer represent your interests in court. But without the help of an experienced attorney, you may not understand the law and our state’s complex court procedures.
When you are faced with a Stalking allegation, do not face it alone, even if you know the claim is false. Read on to learn more about this charge and what a lawyer can do to help.
Our primary role as your defense lawyer is to challenge the accusations. Whether we have evidence that the contact was consensual or that you did not intend to intimidate or harass the alleged victim, we can implement legal strategies to challenge the prosecutor’s case. Our law firm has the expertise to negotiate reduced charges or secure alternative sentencing programs.
Officials in Connecticut have updated the state’s Stalking laws three times since 2012 to broaden the definition and cover a wider range of conduct, largely due to new opportunities for misconduct through cyberstalking or online dating.
Criminal Stalking involves a pattern of repeated and unwanted behavior that causes the individual emotional distress or makes the alleged victim feel unsafe. Specific actions could seem innocent, like following them as they go about their day, but it may escalate into something more concerning, such as making threats against a person, their friends, or family.
Stalking charges are serious. Under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.), an individual could be charged with § 53a-181c (First Degree, Class D felony), § 53a-181d (Second Degree, Class A misdemeanor), and § 53a-181e (Third Degree, Class B misdemeanor). The degree of the charge depends on factors such as the accused’s intent, prior convictions, the alleged victim’s age, and whether a court order was violated.
Each offense comes with strict penalties, including the possibility of hefty fines and jail time. For the lesser charge, you could expect a sentence of up to six months in jail and $1,000 in fines. However, if convicted of a felony offense, you could spend one to five years in jail and pay $5,000 in fines, or both.
Now that you know what a lawyer could do if you are accused of Stalking, reach out to Mark Sherman Law for advice about the legal strategies we would implement in your defense. Do not wait to find out what we could do in your case and how a Stalking charge is likely to affect your future.
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