Baltimore Stalking Defense Lawyer
Laws Against Stalking in Maryland
People value their privacy and the security they have in their home or in their personal lives. When someone takes their relationship over the line or acts in a way that places another in fear, then they could be charged with stalking or harassment in Maryland. Our criminal defense lawyers have defended hundreds of people that have been charged with either stalking or harassment in Maryland. Let our experienced attorneys go to work for you.
Stalking Defined in Maryland
Stalking is approaching or pursuing another person and doing it in a way that placed that other person in fear. Maryland stalking law is found in Maryland Criminal Law Article 3-802. Maryland law prohibits stalking.
Stalking is defined as a malicious course of conduct that includes approaching or pursuing another where the person intends to place or knows or reasonably should have known the conduct would place another in reasonable fear of serious bodily injury, of an assault in any degree, of rape or sexual offense as defined by §§ 3–303 through 3–308 of this title or attempted rape or sexual offense in any degree, of false imprisonment, or of death, or that a third person likely will suffer any of the acts listed above.
Penalty for Stalking Someone in Baltimore, MD
Stalking is defined as a misdemeanor in Maryland. The penalty for stalking in Maryland is to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both. You cannot be found guilty of stalking if you are acting to ensure compliance with a court order, acting to carry out a specific lawful commercial purpose or authorized, required, or protected by local, State, or federal law.
Telephone and Text Message Stalking in Baltimore
With the number of cell phones and apps that allow people to communicate, a lot of stalking and harassment charges arise from telephonic communications. In Maryland, it is illegal to use a telephone or telephone equipment to harass another person.
Maryland Criminal Law 3-804 defines what is illegal to do on and using a telephone. The law states that a person may not use telephone facilities or equipment to make
- An anonymous call that is reasonably expected to annoy, abuse, torment, harass, or embarrass another;
- Repeated calls with the intent to annoy, abuse, torment, harass, or embarrass another; or
- A comment, request, suggestion, or proposal that is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, or indecent.
What is the Penalty for Telephone Harassment?
The penalty for telephone harassment is 3 years in jail. Telephone harassment is classified as a misdemeanor in Maryland. The fine for telephone harassment is $500.00.
Call Our Skilled Baltimore Stalking Defense Attorneys Today
What happens after you’ve been accused of stalking or harassment in Maryland? Our criminal defense attorneys can answer that question and defend your rights in Court. We are experienced criminal lawyers that work for our clients and protect their freedom. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today to schedule a free consultation at (410) 431-0911.