An accusation of stalking may or may not come as a surprise to you, but now you find yourself in need of defense. Before you step into a courtroom, however, there are a few things you may want to know about what Kentucky’s laws say about stalking.
There are three main components in a stalking case: it intentionally targets a certain individual or group, it makes the person feel scared, annoyed or pressured and it doesn’t serve a lawful purpose. Stalking can take place in person, over the phone, online and by other forms of communication. Furthermore, a stalking case must involve two or more of these events to show a pattern.
There are a number of legally valid or invalid reasons that a person might accuse you of stalking. Many of these cases involve people who already know each other. Breakups, for example, create high emotions and tension between two people that may lead them to take extreme actions. An angry ex could try to harass you by bringing unnecessary charges against you. In other cases, a misunderstanding can surface between people who see the situation very differently.
Regardless of the reason for the charges, you will have a chance to explain what happened in the proceedings in your case. There are a range of evidence and arguments the prosecution might bring forward in stalking cases. You may have various options for challenging such arguments and evidence with the help of your criminal defense attorney.
The accuser may also request a temporary restraining order against you. Even if you know that the court will eventually find you innocent, it is wise to follow the legal limitations that the order places upon you. If you have questions about protective orders or defense against stalking allegations, you should ask an attorney for assistance.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Sheehan, Barnett, Dean, Pennington, Dexter & Tucker, P.S.C. or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
