McKinney Stalking Defense Attorneys
Lawyers Addressing Charges of Stalking and Harassment in McKinney, TX
There are some situations where people may be accused of engaging in behavior that caused others to fear for their safety. In these cases, a person may be accused of stalking, which is a serious criminal offense. Stalking charges may involve repeated phone calls or messages to a former romantic partner or another person or other types of accusations that a person acted in a way that caused a person to suffer distress. People who have been accused of stalking will need to understand how to respond, the potential penalties they may face, and their options for defense.
At Texas Defense Firm, our attorneys understand the serious nature of stalking charges, including how these cases are handled in criminal courts and the ways accusations can damage a person's reputation and affect their career and personal life. We can help address charges of stalking or harassment, work with clients to demonstrate that they did not commit alleged offenses, and defend against criminal convictions.
Situations That Could Lead to Stalking Charges
Stalking accusations may be based on different interpretations of a person's behavior. A person may have believed that they were acting reasonably, but the other party may claim that they experienced fear or emotional distress. Some examples of behavior that may be considered to be stalking include:
- After a breakup, one person may attempt to call, text, or visit the other person to try to reconcile, but the other person may claim that this behavior is unwanted and repeated.
- During a contentious divorce or child custody dispute, one person may be accused of closely monitoring the other's activity, location, or communications.
- Conflicts in the workplace may lead to claims that a person repeatedly contacted or harassed a co-worker after-hours.
- Disputes between neighbors can escalate into behavior that one party claims involves harassment and made them fear for their safety.
- A person may engage in a pattern of comments and messages on social media that they did not consider to be out of the ordinary, but that another person found to be alarming or threatening.
Stalking may be a factor in cases where people have been accused of domestic violence. Because of the potential to inflict fear that a person may suffer an injury or other forms of harm, stalking may be considered to be a violent crime.
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How Stalking Is Addressed Under Texas Law
Charges of stalking may apply when a person has been accused of engaging in repeated conduct that may be considered to be harassment or that they knew would cause another person to fear that they would suffer harm. Harassment may involve actions or communications that are intended to annoy, alarm, torment, or embarrass someone, including direct threats, obscene comments, repeated phone calls or text messages, or information published online.
People may be accused of stalking based on intimidating behavior, such as repeatedly following another person or making statements indicating an intent to harm or kill someone. If a reasonable person would be alarmed by a person's behavior or experience distress, a person's actions may be considered to be stalking.
A person who is charged with stalking may face third-degree felony charges for a first offense. A conviction may be punishable by a sentence of two to 10 years in prison. A second offense may lead to second-degree felony charges, and the maximum sentence in these cases may increase to 20 years in prison.
Defense Strategies in Stalking Cases
Charges of stalking will often be based on an alleged victim's claims that they experienced fear or distress due to a person's actions, messages, or behavior. Our lawyers may help clients respond to these accusations by taking steps to show that their actions did not meet the standards to be considered stalking or harassment. We may show that a person believed that their behavior was reasonable, that they did not engage in repeated forms of harassment, or that they stopped communicating with the other party after being asked to do so.
In some cases involving stalking charges, both parties may have contributed to an ongoing conflict. Our attorneys may provide evidence showing that the parties had agreed to engage in ongoing contact, that the alleged victim invited communication from our client, or that there was no pattern of one-sided communications and repeated harassing conduct. We can gather documentation such as message histories, call logs, and witness accounts to establish context for messages that had been sent. We may also argue that a single, isolated message or unrelated events do not constitute stalking.
Contact Our McKinney, Texas Stalking Defense Lawyers
Charges of stalking can be serious. Since stalking is a felony offense, a conviction can lead to penalties that can affect a person's life for years. A situation that began with personal conflict may spiral into accusations of threatening behavior or repeated forms of harassment. Taking steps to address these accusations can help ensure that a person will be able to resolve a case successfully without being convicted of a felony.
At Texas Defense Firm, we understand the issues that are often involved in stalking cases. We can help clients determine the best strategies for responding to accusations of stalking or harassment, showing that they believed their behavior to be reasonable and that they did not intend to threaten someone else or cause emotional distress. To get effective legal representation when defending against these charges, contact our McKinney stalking attorneys at 972-369-0577 and set up a free consultation.
