Criminal Harassment/ Stalking

Massachusetts Stalking/ Harassment Defense Lawyer

A Massachusetts criminal harassment charge can arise from a variety of circumstances. To be found guilty, the prosecution must prove that you willfully and maliciously engaged in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person, which seriously alarms that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress. Most often, the person charged and the alleged victim know each other. You may have been in a romantic or business relationship, and the other person wanted you to stop contacting him/her but you did not. Perhaps you previously had no form of relationship with the person, but some recent event has led you to contact the person more than once, and he/she has now gone to the police. Whatever the situation, the charge is serious, and must be treated as such.

Criminal Harassment carries up to 2 1/2 years in jail and $1,000 fine for a first offense. A second offense carries up to 10 years in jail.

A stalking charge in Massachusetts is even more serious. It is very similar to criminal harassment, but it requires the prosecution to show that you made a threat with the intent to put serious fear of harm, or of death, in the other person. A stalking charge in Massachusetts carries up to 5 years in prison and a $1,000 fine.

If you are convicted of Stalking in Violation of a Protection Order in Massachusetts (in other words, your contact with that person is also in violation of a no contact, no abuse, order to vacate or other protection order), there is a minimum mandatory of 2 years in jail, up to a potential 10 year sentence.

If you have been charged with harassment or stalking, contact my office immediately for a free phone consultation:

Urbelis Law, LLC

50 Milk St 16th Floor Boston, MA 02109 Phone: (617) 830-2188