Walk It Through: The Messages That Keep Coming
A former coworker who will not stop, a protection order, a violation, and what the court can do.
After quitting, a woman's former coworker sends dozens of messages a day and waits outside her apartment.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One stalker who is not family. Stalking a child, a protection order between partners, a workplace investigation and a civil suit 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.
- Crime of violenceOne of the convictions that bars a person from possessing or controlling a firearm, along with the listed drug felonies. A violation is a Class 6 felony.
- Protection orderA court order after a hearing, on finding domestic abuse, that can bar abuse, exclude the abuser from the home and set temporary custody and support, for up to five years.
- Class 1 misdemeanorThe more serious of the two misdemeanor classes, with a maximum of one year in a county jail or a $2,000 fine, or both.
- Class 6 felonyThe least serious felony class: a maximum of two years in a state correctional facility or a fine of $4,000, or both.
- No contact orderA bar on contact with the victim: automatic while in custody after a domestic abuse arrest until the first court appearance, and by court order after a conviction.
- Simple assaultAttempting or recklessly causing bodily injury, or putting someone in fear of imminent harm by physical menace or a credible threat. A Class 1 misdemeanor, and a felony on a third within ten years.
- StalkingWillfully, maliciously and repeatedly following or harassing someone, by any means including electronic messages, or making a credible threat. A Class 1 misdemeanor.
- Credible threatA threat made with the intent to place someone in reasonable fear of death or great bodily injury, which is stalking on its own.