Georgia Stalking Attorney
Stalking is the act of willfully and maliciously harassing or following another person, which causes the victim to fear for his or her safety. A person may stalk an acquaintance or even a complete stranger. Because this offense could potentially escalate into acts of violence, the State of Georgia takes stalking very seriously. If you have recently been accused of stalking, you must immediately contact a Georgia stalking attorney to ensure that your rights are upheld during this time.
Stalking may include threatening, harassing, or following the victim. Appearing at the victim’s house or place of employment and vandalizing property may also constitute stalking and lead to criminal charges being filed.
Common Types of Stalking
You have probably heard news reports about celebrities who have been the victims of stalking. However, there are several common types of stalking. One of the most common is the “love obsession” stalker. In this situation, a person may have no prior relationship with the victim; however, the stalker may believe that the victim has a special, almost mystical relationship with him or her.
Another form of stalking is erotomanic stalking. Erotomanic stalkers may have delusions that the victim is in love with him or her and repeatedly try to make contact.
In the case of “simple obsession” stalking, the offender may have had a relationship with the victim that ended. The stalker may continue to contact the victim in an effort to reconcile or retaliate. An example of simple obsession is when a couple breaks up, and one party continually follows or tries to contact the other.
Stalking Consequences
In Georgia, stalking may be classified as a misdemeanor or felony offense. A misdemeanor offense could be punishable by a jail sentence. However, aggravated stalking is considered a felony and may be punishable by a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 10 years in prison along with a maximum fine of $10,000. Habitual offenders may be charged with a felony offense. A restraining order may also be filed, which prohibits the offender from contacting or seeing the victim.
If you have been charged with a stalking offense, you should immediately contact an attorney before speaking to the police. Your attorney can begin developing the best defense strategy for your case in an effort to help you avoid the penalties that accompany a conviction.
Contact HTW&W today for help with your Georgia stalking case.
