Washington Stalking Attorney
Have you been charged with Stalking or Cyberstalking? Your record could be in jeopardy!
In Washington, being charged with stalking can mean paying heavy fines, possible jail time, and destruction of your record. Cyberstalking, while slightly different than traditional stalking is still a serious crime. Let Weber Law help you today!
Washington Stalking Charges and Penalties
What is Stalking?
A person is guilty of stalking if, without lawful authority and under circumstances not amounting to a felony attempt of another crime:
(a) He or she intentionally and repeatedly harasses or repeatedly follows another person; and
(b) The person being harassed or followed is placed in fear that the stalker intends to injure the person, another person, or property of the person or of another person; and
(c) The stalker either intends to frighten, intimidate, or harass the person; or knows or reasonably should know that the person is afraid, intimidated, or harassed even if the stalker did not intend to place the person in fear or intimidate or harass the person; or
(d) Attempts to contact or follow the person after being given actual notice that the person does not want to be contact or followed.
Contact includes any form of contact or communication including the sending of an electronic communication to the person.
What is the Punishment?
The penalties for stalking can include not only jail time but a hefty fine. The penalties for stalking depend on the seriousness of the crime and are outlined below:
Generally, stalking in the State of Washington is a gross misdemeanor. A gross misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for up to 364, or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
However, stalking is a class B felony if any of the following apply:
1. The stalker has previously been convicted in Washington or any other state of any crime of harassment, of the same victim or members of the victim’s family or household, or nay person named in a protective order;
2. The stalking violates any protective order protecting the person being stalked;
3. The stalker has previously been convicted of a gross misdemeanor or felony stalking offense of another person;
4. The stalker was armed with a deadly weapon while stalking the person;
5. The stalker’s victim is or was a law enforcement officer, judge, juror, attorney, victim advocate, legislator, correction’s officer, court employee, or an employee of the child protective, child welfare, or adult protective services department and the stalker stalked the victim to retaliate against the victim for an act the victim performed during the course of official duties; or
6. The stalker’s victim is a current, former, or prospective witness in an adjudicative proceeding, and the stalker stalked the victim to retaliate against the victim as a result of the victim’s testimony or potential testimony.
A class B felony is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of up to $10,000.00, or both.
What is Cyberstalking?
A person is guilty of cyberstalking if they, with intent to harass, intimidate, torment, or embarrass any other person, make an electronic communication to the other person or a third party using any lewd, indecent, or obscene words, images, or language, anonymously or repeatedly contact whether or not conversation occurs, or threatens to inflict injury on the person or property of the person called or any member of his or her family or household.
What is the Punishment?
Generally, cyberstalking is a gross misdemeanor. A gross misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days, or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
However, cyberstalking is considered a class C felony if the perpetrator has previously been convicted of the crime of harassment, with the same victim or victim’s family, or the person specifically named in a no-contact order, or the person commits the act of cyberstalking while threatening to kill the person. A class C felony is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $10,000.00, or both.
Even as a Defendant of a Crime, you still have Rights! Make sure yours were not violated!
Even as an individual facing criminal charges, you have rights. It is important to know those rights and make sure that they were not violated in any way when you were arrested or charged. Without extensive knowledge of your rights when it comes to police searches, Miranda rights, and your rights when it comes to arrest, it is extremely difficult to get a dismissal or reduction of your charges. Do not try and fight these charges on your own, Weber Law is ready to help you today.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on a stalking or cyber stalking charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Seattle and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
What should I do if I have been accused of Stalking or Cyberstalking?
If you have been accused of stalking or cyberstalking, whether a felony or misdemeanor, let Weber Law help you today. It can be a stressful situation to have criminal charges pending and Weber Law will work for you. Let Weber Law work to have your citation dismissed or dropped to a lower offense. If that is not possible, we will negotiate the best deal for you, which could include a shorter jail time or no jail time, and a lesser fine.
There are potential defenses against a charge of stalking or cyberstalking, which include but are not limited to, not realizing that person was there, a misunderstanding, and being falsely accused.
Weber Law will look at every aspect of your case, including surveillance footage (if available), eyewitness testimonies, and even your prior criminal record. Let Weber Law build the best defense for you! A charge of stalking on your record could potentially hurt future job offers and ruin your record. Weber Law is experienced in defending these charges and getting you back to a life free of criminal charges. It is never a good idea to face these charges without an attorney, the court room can be intimidating, and you need someone with experience to defend you. Any blemish on your record can have detrimental effects on the rest of your life. Let Weber Law’s experienced attorneys fight for you in court. If you or someone you know has been accused of stalking or cyberstalking in the State of Washington, contact Weber Law today for a consultation.
WA ST § 9A.46.110, Stalking
WA ST § 9A.20.021, Maximum sentences for crimes committed July 1, 1984, and after
WA ST § 9.61.260, Cyberstalking
A Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
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810 3rd Avenue Suite 120, Seattle, WA 98104