Walk It Through: The Ex Who Will Not Stop
A recorded call, months of messages, a threat to post photos, and a harassment protection order.
After a breakup, an ex calls again and again. The person being called wants to record the next call.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One former partner. A domestic abuse order, the criminal case for stalking, and removing posted images from websites are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Prior consentAgreement by one of the parties to a communication, given before it is intercepted. A person who is a party to a wire, electronic or oral communication, or has a party's prior consent, may intercept it unless the purpose is a criminal or tortious act.
- Course of conductA series of acts over a period of time, however short, with a continuity of purpose, including following, detaining, or contacting or communicating with the person.
- Domestic abuse protection orderA court order for a victim of domestic abuse that can bar contact, remove the respondent from the residence, give temporary custody for up to ninety days, and bar firearms, for at least one year but not more than two years.
- Ex parteIssued without the other side being heard first. A protection order may be issued ex parte where the affidavit shows immediate danger, and it is a temporary order until a hearing or the time to request one passes.
- HarassTo engage in a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person which seriously terrifies, threatens or intimidates the person and which serves no legitimate purpose.