A criminal charge can come as a surprise to some people who are accused of stalking. This can be a confusing area of law. You may be friendly with someone you work with even after she turned you down when you asked her out, only for her to misinterpret your friendliness as stalking. However, it is important for you and other Connecticut residents to understand what truly constitutes as stalking.
Stalking is a crime in Connecticut, as it is in other states, according to FindLaw. What exactly is stalking, you may wonder? It is defined as a repeated, intentional series of behaviors that give another person reasonable fear for his or her safety or life. The following behaviors can qualify as stalking:
- Repeatedly showing up at another person’s residence or workplace
- Following the other person home from work or to other places
- Taking photographs of the other person without his or her permission
Additionally, Connecticut residents can file stalking reports against others for harassing or intimidating them with repeated phone calls, text messages, emails and social media posts. You should know that stalking is usually a misdemeanor charge in Connecticut, although it becomes a felony when the person has previously been charged with stalking, the behavior violates a court order or the victim is under 16 years of age.
It can be difficult to move on after a relationship has ended or to come to terms with someone not returning a romantic interest. However, some behaviors related to these feelings may result in charges against you. This information is not meant to replace the advice of a lawyer.
