Categories: Legal Resources

Anti-Stalking Laws in the Southern Central States

Anti-stalking laws are in place to address the specific crimes of stalking and the related crimes that often come up as a result of stalking.

However, due to the manipulative, deceptive nature of stalking prosecuting stalking cases is very difficult even in states with more stringent anti-stalking laws. In some cases, prosecuting for a related crime may be easier than prosecuting for stalking, depending on how clear the legislation is where you live.

Legal Action and Legal Statutes for Stalking Cases

Something to consider regardless of where you live… There is a possibility your stalker can face charges from other related crimes. In some cases, these crimes that can be treated separately from the stalking issue.

Some of these other crimes include:

burglary
theft
vandalism
trespassing
harrasment
identity theft
assault
assault with intent to harm
attempted murder

Each one of these carries their own burden of proof requirements, sentencing and legal processes necessary to successfully navigate the legal system to result in a conviction of your stalker.

What we have done is put together the research we have found on all the 50 states with some pretty pictures, links and resources to help you to be armed with information you will need to take your case the next step with your stalker.

For example:

Say you have a stalker that hacks into your home network on a regular basis. You may data that shows this you may not. You may have assistance from your ISP or they may get all sketchy on you and deny anything for fear of liability reasons or not. have some images, you may not.

You may even get pictures or video of them doing this. My point is, if the burden of proof is not beyond a doubt that it is a specific person, you may be facing an impossible case for stalking.

However, if you have pictures of people in the act of any related crime such as: vandalism, attempted burglary, or burglary you may have a case for those crimes but not necessarily for the stalking.

Be strategic in your thinking. Know what battles to pick. Pick a strategy to win… something.

Anti-Stalking Laws in the Southern Central States

I had to research both the proper terminology and geography for this part of the country so, if I am off or not regionally accurate or acceptable… neither is anyone else writing about this part of the country.

This is LONG but worthwhile if you need the information. Here are easy navigation links to find your state quickly.

Arkansas
Kansas
Louisiana
New Mexico
Oklahoma
Texas

Here is the Breakdown for the Southern Central states with easy to use jump navigation.

*Data and Legal information comes from the stalking section of the victimsofcrime.org web site.*

Arkansas

A.C.A. § 5-71-229. Stalking. (2013)

(a) (1) A person commits stalking in the first degree if he or she knowingly engages in a course of conduct that would place a reasonable person in the victim’s position under emotional distress and in fear for his or her safety or a third person’s safety, and the actor:

(A) Does so in contravention of an order of protection consistent with the Domestic Abuse Act of 1991, § 9-15-101 et seq., or a no contact order as set out in subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section, protecting the same victim, or any other order issued by any court protecting the same victim;

(B) Has been convicted within the previous ten (10) years of:

(i) Stalking in the second degree;

(ii) Terroristic threatening, § 5-13-301 or terroristic act, § 5-13-310; or

(iii) Stalking or threats against another person’s safety under the statutory provisions of any other state jurisdiction; or

(2) (A) Upon pretrial release of the defendant, a judicial officer shall enter a no contact order in writing consistent with Rules 9.3 and 9.4 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure and shall give notice to the defendant of penalties contained in Rule 9.5 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(B) The no contact order remains in effect during the pendency of any appeal of a conviction under this subsection (a) of this section.

(C) The judicial officer or prosecuting attorney shall provide a copy of the no contact order to the victim and the arresting law enforcement agency without unnecessary delay.

(D) If the judicial officer has reason to believe that mental disease or defect of the defendant will or has become an issue in the cause, the judicial officer shall enter such orders as are consistent with § 5-2-305.

(3) Stalking in the first degree is a Class C felony.

(b) (1) A person commits stalking in the second degree if he or she knowingly engages in a course of conduct that harasses another person and makes a terroristic threat with the purpose of placing that person in imminent fear of death or serious bodily injury or placing that person in imminent fear of the death or serious bodily injury of his or her immediate family.
(2) (A) Upon pretrial release of the defendant, a judicial officer shall enter a no contact order in writing consistent with Rules 9.3 and 9.4 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure and shall give notice to the defendant of penalties contained in Rule 9.5 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure.

(B) The no contact order remains in effect during the pendency of any appeal of a conviction under this subsection (b).

(C) The judicial officer or prosecuting attorney shall provide a copy of the no contact order to the victim and arresting law enforcement agency without unnecessary delay.

(c) (1) A person commits stalking in the third degree if he or she knowingly commits an act that would place a reasonable person in the victim’s position under emotional distress and in fear for his or her safety or a third person’s safety.

(B) The no contact order remains in effect during the pendency of any appeal of a conviction under this subsection (c).

(C) The judicial officer or prosecuting attorney shall provide a copy of the no contact order to the victim and arresting law enforcement agency without unnecessary delay.

(D) If the judicial officer has reason to believe that mental disease or defect of the defendant will or has become an issue in the case, the judicial officer shall enter orders consistent with § 5-2-327 or § 5-2-328, or both.

(3) Stalking in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor.

(d) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section if the actor is a law enforcement officer, licensed private investigator, attorney, process server, licensed bail bondsman, or a store detective acting within the reasonable scope of his or her duty while conducting surveillance on an official work assignment.

(e) It is not a defense to a prosecution under this section that the actor was not given actual notice by the victim that the actor’s conduct was not wanted. (f) As used in this section:

(1) (A) “Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of two (2) or more acts, separated by at least thirty-six (36) hours, but occurring within one (1) year, including without limitation an act in which the actor directly, indirectly, or through a third party by any action, method, device, or means follows, monitors, observes, places under surveillance, threatens, or communicates to or about a person or interferes with a person’s property.

(B) (i) “Course of conduct” does not include constitutionally protected activity.

(ii) If the defendant claims that he or she was engaged in a constitutionally protected activity, the court shall determine the validity of that claim as a matter of law and, if found valid, shall exclude that activity from evidence;

(2) (A) “Emotional distress” means significant mental suffering or distress.

(B) “Emotional distress” does not require that the victim sought or received medical or other professional treatment or counseling; and

(3) “Harasses” means an act of harassment as prohibited by § 5-71-208.

A.C.A. § 5-27-306. Internet stalking of a child. (2007)
(a) A person commits the offense of internet stalking of a child if the person being twenty-one (21) years of age or older knowingly uses a computer online service, internet service, local internet bulletin board service, or any means of electronic communication to:

(1) Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice a child fifteen (15) years of age or younger in an effort to arrange a meeting with the child for the purpose of engaging in:

(A) Sexual intercourse;

(B) Sexually explicit conduct; or

(2) Seduce, solicit, lure, or entice an individual that the person believes to be fifteen (15) years of age or younger in an effort to arrange a meeting with the individual for the purpose of engaging in:

(A) Sexual intercourse;

(B) Sexually explicit conduct; or

(3) Compile, transmit, publish, reproduce, buy, sell, receive, exchange, or disseminate the name, telephone number, electronic mail address, residence address, picture, physical description, characteristics, or any other identifying information on a child fifteen (15) years of age or younger in furtherance of an effort to arrange a meeting with the child for the purpose of engaging in:

(A) Sexual intercourse;

(B) Sexually explicit conduct; or

(4) Compile, transmit, publish, reproduce, buy, sell, receive, exchange, or disseminate the name, telephone number, electronic mail address, residence address, picture, physical description, characteristics, or any other identifying information on an individual that the person believes to be fifteen (15) years of age or younger in furtherance of an effort to arrange a meeting with the individual for the purpose of engaging in:

(A) Sexual intercourse;

(B) Sexually explicit conduct; or

(5) Arrange a meeting with another person who holds himself or herself out as the parent, guardian, family member, or other person of authority over a child fifteen (15) years of age or younger or an individual that the person believes to be fifteen (15) years of age or younger in order to seduce, solicit, lure, or entice the child fifteen (15) years of age or younger or an individual that the person believes to be fifteen (15) years of age or younger for the purpose of engaging in:

(A) Sexual intercourse;

(B) Sexually explicit conduct; or

(b) Internet stalking of a child is a:

(1) Class B felony if the person attempts to arrange a meeting with:

(A) A child fifteen (15) years of age or younger, even if a meeting with the child never takes place;

(B) An individual that the person believes to be fifteen (15) years of age or younger, even if a meeting with the individual never takes place; or

(C) A person who holds himself or herself out as the parent, guardian, family member, or other person of authority over a child fifteen (15) years of age or younger or an individual that the person believes to be fifteen (15) years of age or younger, even if a meeting with the person never takes place; or

(2) Class Y felony if the person arranges a meeting with a child fifteen (15) years of age or younger or an individual that the person believes to be fifteen (15) years of age or younger and an actual meeting with the child or the individual takes place, even if the person fails to engage the child or individual in:

(A) Sexual intercourse;

(B) Sexually explicit conduct; or

(c) This section does not apply to a person or entity providing an electronic communications service to the public that is used by another person to violate this section, unless the person or entity providing an electronic communications service to the public:

(1) Conspires with another person to violate this section; or

(2) Knowingly aids and abets a violation of this section.

Kansas

K.S.A. § 21-5427. Stalking. (2011)

(a) Stalking is:

(1) Recklessly engaging in a course of conduct targeted at a specific person which would cause a reasonable person in the circumstances of the targeted person to fear for such person’s safety, or the safety of a member of such person’s immediate family and the targeted person is actually placed in such fear;

(2) engaging in a course of conduct targeted at a specific person with knowledge that the course of conduct will place the targeted person in fear for such person’s safety or the safety of a member of such person’s immediate family; or

(3) after being served with, or otherwise provided notice of, any protective order included in K.S.A. 21-3843, prior to its repeal or K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 21-5924, and amendments thereto, that prohibits contact with a targeted person, recklessly engaging in at least one act listed in subsection (f)(1) that violates the provisions of the order and would cause a reasonable person to fear for such person’s safety, or the safety of a member of such person’s immediate family and the targeted person is actually placed in such fear.

(b) Stalking as defined in:

(1) Subsection (a)(1) is a:

(A) Class A person misdemeanor, except as provided in subsection (b)(1)(B); and

(B) severity level 7, person felony upon a second or subsequent conviction;

(2) subsection (a)(2) is a:

(A) Class A person misdemeanor, except as provided in subsection (b)(2)(B); and

(B) severity level 5, person felony upon a second or subsequent conviction; and

(3) subsection (a)(3) is a:

(A) Severity level 9, person felony, except as provided in subsection (b)(3)(B); and

(B) severity level 5, person felony, upon a second or subsequent conviction.

(c) For the purposes of this section, a person served with a protective order as defined by K.S.A. 21-3843, prior to its repeal or K.S.A. 2011 Supp. 21-5924, and amendments thereto, or a person who engaged in acts which would constitute stalking, after having been advised by a law enforcement officer, that such person’s actions were in violation of this section, shall be presumed to have acted knowingly as to any like future act targeted at the specific person or persons named in the order or as advised by the officer.

(d) In a criminal proceeding under this section, a person claiming an exemption, exception or exclusion has the burden of going forward with evidence of the claim.

(e) The present incarceration of a person alleged to be violating this section shall not be a bar to prosecution under this section.

(f) As used in this section:

(1) “Course of conduct” means two or more acts over a period of time, however short, which evidence a continuity of purpose. A course of conduct shall not include constitutionally protected activity nor conduct that was necessary to accomplish a legitimate purpose independent of making contact with the targeted person. A course of conduct shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following acts or a combination thereof:

(A) Threatening the safety of the targeted person or a member of such person’s immediate family;

(B) following, approaching or confronting the targeted person or a member of such person’s immediate family;

(C) appearing in close proximity to, or entering the targeted person’s residence, place of employment, school or other place where such person can be found, or the residence, place of employment or school of a member of such person’s immediate family;

(D) causing damage to the targeted person’s residence or property or that of a member of such person’s immediate family;

(E) placing an object on the targeted person’s property or the property of a member of such person’s immediate family, either directly or through a third person;

(F) causing injury to the targeted person’s pet or a pet belonging to a member of such person’s immediate family;

(G) any act of communication;

(2) “communication” means to impart a message by any method of transmission, including, but not limited to: Telephoning, personally delivering, sending or having delivered, any information or material by written or printed note or letter, package, mail, courier service or electronic transmission, including electronic transmissions generated or communicated via a computer;

(3) “computer” means a programmable, electronic device capable of accepting and processing data;

(4) “conviction” includes being convicted of a violation of K.S.A. 21-3438, prior to its repeal, this section or a law of another state which prohibits the acts that this section prohibits; and

(5) “immediate family” means father, mother, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, spouse or grandparent of the targeted person; any person residing in the household of the targeted person; or any person involved in an intimate relationship with the targeted person.

Louisiana

La. R.S. 14:40.2. Stalking. (2012)
A. Stalking is the intentional and repeated following or harassing of another person that would cause a reasonable person to feel alarmed or to suffer emotional distress. Stalking shall include but not be limited to the intentional and repeated uninvited presence of the perpetrator at another person’s home, workplace, school, or any place which would cause a reasonable person to be alarmed, or to suffer emotional distress as a result of verbal, written, or behaviorally implied threats of death, bodily injury, sexual assault, kidnapping, or any other statutory criminal act to himself or any member of his family or any person with whom he is acquainted.

B.

(1)

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, on first conviction, whoever commits the crime of stalking shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than one year. Notwithstanding any other sentencing provisions, any person convicted of stalking shall undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Imposition of the sentence shall not be suspended unless the offender is placed on probation and participates in a court-approved counseling which could include but shall not be limited to anger management, abusive behavior intervention groups, or any other type of counseling deemed appropriate by the courts.

(b) Whoever commits the crime of stalking against a victim under the age of eighteen when the provisions of Paragraph (6) of this Subsection are not applicable shall be imprisoned for not more than three years, with or without hard labor, and fined not more than two thousand dollars, or both.

(2)

(a) Any person who commits the offense of stalking and who is found by the trier of fact, whether the jury at a jury trial, the judge in a bench trial, or the judge at a sentencing hearing following a jury trial, beyond a reasonable doubt to have placed the victim of the stalking in fear of death or bodily injury by the actual use of or the defendant’s having in his possession during the instances which make up the crime of stalking a dangerous weapon or is found beyond a reasonable doubt to have placed the victim in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury, shall be imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than five years, with or without hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and may be fined one thousand dollars, or both. Whether or not the defendant’s use of or his possession of the dangerous weapon is a crime or, if a crime, whether or not he is charged for that offense separately or in addition to the crime of stalking shall have no bearing or relevance as to the enhanced sentence under the provisions of this Paragraph.

(b) If the victim is under the age of eighteen, and when the provisions of Paragraph (6) of this Subsection are not applicable, the offender shall be imprisoned for not less than two years nor more than five years, with or without hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence and may be fined not less than one thousand nor more than two thousand dollars, or both.

(3) Any person who commits the offense of stalking against a person for whose benefit a protective order, a temporary restraining order, or any lawful order prohibiting contact with the victim issued by a judge or magistrate is in effect in either a civil or criminal proceeding, protecting the victim of the stalking from acts by the offender which otherwise constitute the crime of stalking, shall be punished by imprisonment with or without hard labor for not less than ninety days and not more than two years or fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

(4) Upon a second conviction occurring within seven years of a prior conviction for stalking, the offender shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less than five years nor more than twenty years, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence, and may be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

(5) Upon a third or subsequent conviction, the offender shall be imprisoned with or without hard labor for not less that ten years and not more than forty years and may be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

(6)

(a) Any person thirteen years of age or older who commits the crime of stalking against a child twelve years of age or younger and who is found by the trier of fact, whether the jury at a jury trial, the judge in a bench trial, or the judge at a sentencing hearing following a jury trial, beyond a reasonable doubt to have placed the child in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury, or in reasonable fear of the death or bodily injury of a family member of the child shall be punished by imprisonment with or without hard labor for not less than one year and not more than three years and fined not less than fifteen hundred dollars and not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

(b) Lack of knowledge of the child’s age shall not be a defense.

C. For the purposes of this Section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) “Harassing” means the repeated pattern of verbal communications or nonverbal behavior without invitation which includes but is not limited to making telephone calls, transmitting electronic mail, sending messages via a third party, or sending letters or pictures.

(2) “Pattern of conduct” means a series of acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing an intent to inflict a continuity of emotional distress upon the person. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of pattern of conduct.

(3) Repealed by Acts 1993, No. 125, § 2.

D. As used in this Section, when the victim of the stalking is a child twelve years old or younger:

(1) “Pattern of conduct” includes repeated acts of non-consensual contact involving the victim or a family member.

(2) “Family member” includes:

(a) A child, parent, grandparent, sibling, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of the victim, whether related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

(b) A person who lives in the same household as the victim.

(3)

(a) “Nonconsensual contact” means any contact with a child twelve years old or younger that is initiated or continued without that child’s consent, that is beyond the scope of the consent provided by that child, or that is in disregard of that child’s expressed desire that the contact be avoided or discontinued.

(b) “Nonconsensual contact” includes:

(i) Following or appearing within the sight of that child.

(ii) Approaching or confronting that child in a public place or on private property.

(iii) Appearing at the residence of that child.

(iv) Entering onto or remaining on property occupied by that child.

(v) Contacting that child by telephone.

(vi) Sending mail or electronic communications to that child.

(vii) Placing an object on, or delivering an object to, property occupied by that child.

(c) “Nonconsensual contact” does not include any otherwise lawful act by a parent, tutor, caretaker, mandatory reporter, or other person having legal custody of the child as those terms are defined in the Louisiana Children’s Code.

(4) “Victim” means the child who is the target of the stalking.

E. Whenever it is deemed appropriate for the protection of the victim, the court may send written notice to any employer of a person convicted for a violation of the provisions of this Section describing the conduct on which the conviction was based.

F.

(1) Upon motion of the district attorney or on the court’s own motion, whenever it is deemed appropriate for the protection of the victim, the court may, in addition to any penalties imposed pursuant to the provisions of this Section, grant a protective order which directs the defendant to refrain from abusing, harassing, interfering with the victim or the employment of the victim, or being physically present within a certain distance of the victim.

(2) Any protective order granted pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection shall be served on the defendant at the time of sentencing.

(3)

(a) The court shall order that the protective order be effective either for an indefinite period of time or for a fixed term which shall not exceed eighteen months.

(b) If the court grants the protective order for an indefinite period of time pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, after a hearing, on the motion of any party and for good cause shown, the court may modify the indefinite effective period of the protective order to be effective for a fixed term, not to exceed eighteen months, or to terminate the effectiveness of the protective order. A motion to modify or terminate the effectiveness of the protective order may be granted only after a good faith effort has been made to provide reasonable notice of the hearing to the victim, the victim’s designated agent, or the victim’s counsel, and either of the following occur:

(i) The victim, the victim’s designated agent, or the victim’s counsel is present at the hearing or provides written waiver of such appearance.

(ii) After a good faith effort has been made to provide reasonable notice of the hearing, the victim could not be located.

(4)

(a) Immediately upon granting a protective order, the court shall cause to have prepared a Uniform Abuse Prevention Order, as provided in R.S. 46:2136.2, shall sign such order, and shall forward it to the clerk of court for filing, without delay.

(b) The clerk of the issuing court shall send a copy of the Uniform Abuse Prevention Order or any modification thereof to the chief law enforcement official of the parish where the victim resides. A copy of the Uniform Abuse Prevention Order shall be retained on file in the office of the chief law enforcement officer as provided in this Subparagraph until otherwise directed by the court.

(c) The clerk of the issuing court shall transmit the Uniform Abuse Prevention Order, or any modification thereof, to the Louisiana Protective Order Registry pursuant to R.S. 46:2136.2, by facsimile transmission, mail, or direct electronic input, where available, as expeditiously as possible, but no later than the end of the next business day after the order is filed with the clerk of court.

G.

(1) Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, the provisions of this Section shall not apply to a private investigator licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 56 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, acting during the course and scope of his employment and performing his duties relative to the conducting of an investigation.

(2) The exception provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection does not apply if both of the following conditions apply:

(a) The private investigator was retained by a person who is charged with an offense involving sexual assault as defined by R.S. 46:2184 or who is subject to a temporary restraining order or protective order obtained by a victim of sexual assault pursuant to R.S. 46:2182 et seq.
(b) The private investigator was retained for the purpose of harassing the victim.

H. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to an investigator employed by an authorized insurer regulated pursuant to the provisions of Title 22 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, acting during the course and scope of his employment and performing his duties relative to the conducting of an insurance investigation.

I. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to an investigator employed by an authorized self-insurance group or entity regulated pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 10 of Title 23 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, acting during the course and scope of his employment and performing his duties relative to the conducting of an insurance investigation.

J. A conviction for stalking shall not be subject to expungement as provided for by Title XXXIV of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

La. R.S. 14:40.3. Cyberstalking. (2010)
A. For the purposes of this Section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) “Electronic communication” means any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, or intelligence of any nature, transmitted in whole or in part by wire, radio, computer, electromagnetic, photoelectric, or photo-optical system.

(2) “Electronic mail” means the transmission of information or communication by the use of the Internet, a computer, a facsimile machine, a pager, a cellular telephone, a video recorder, or other electronic means sent to a person identified by a unique address or address number and received by that person.

B. Cyberstalking is action of any person to accomplish any of the following:

(1) Use in electronic mail or electronic communication of any words or language threatening to inflict bodily harm to any person or to such person’s child, sibling, spouse, or dependent, or physical injury to the property of any person, or for the purpose of extorting money or other things of value from any person.

(2) Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another repeatedly, whether or not conversation ensues, for the purpose of threatening, terrifying, or harassing any person.

(3) Electronically mail or electronically communicate to another and to knowingly make any false statement concerning death, injury, illness, disfigurement, indecent conduct, or criminal conduct of the person electronically mailed or of any member of the person’s family or household with the intent to threaten, terrify, or harass.

(4) Knowingly permit an electronic communication device under the person’s control to be used for the taking of an action in Paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this Subsection.

C.

(1) Whoever commits the crime of cyberstalking shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

(2) Upon a second conviction occurring within seven years of the prior conviction for cyberstalking, the offender shall be imprisoned for not less than one hundred and eighty days and not more than three years, and may be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

(3) Upon a third or subsequent conviction occurring within seven years of a prior conviction for stalking, the offender shall be imprisoned for not less than two years and not more than five years and may be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or both.

(4)

(a)In addition, the court shall order that the personal property used in the commission of the offense shall be seized and impounded, and after conviction, sold at public sale or public auction by the district attorney in accordance with R.S. 15:539.1.

(b)The personal property made subject to seizure and sale pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph may include, but shall not be limited to, electronic communication devices, computers, computer related equipment, motor vehicles, photographic equipment used to record or create still or moving visual images of the victim that are recorded on paper, film, video tape, disc, or any other type of digital recording media.

D. Any offense under this Section committed by the use of electronic mail or electronic communication may be deemed to have been committed where the electronic mail or electronic communication was originally sent, originally received, or originally viewed by any person.

E. This Section does not apply to any peaceable, nonviolent, or nonthreatening activity intended to express political views or to provide lawful information to others.

New Mexico

This content lists the most applicable state crimes addressing stalking. However, depending on the facts of the case, a stalker might also be charged with other crimes, such as trespassing, intimidation of a witness, breaking and entering, etc. Check your state code or consult with your local prosecutor about other charges that might apply in a particular case.

Stalking

§ 30-3A-3.1. Aggravated stalking; penalties
§ 30-3A-3. Stalking; penalties

Analyzing Stalking Laws

N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-3A-4. Exceptions. (1997)
The provisions of the [Harassment and] Stalking Act [30-3A-1 NMSA 1978] do not apply to:

A. picketing or public demonstrations that are lawful or that arise out of a bona fide labor dispute; or

B. a peace officer in the performance of his duties.

Stalking
N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-3A-3.1. Aggravated stalking; penalties. (1997)
A. Aggravated stalking consists of stalking perpetrated by a person:

(a) who knowingly violates a permanent or temporary order of protection issued by a court, except that mutual violations of such orders may constitute a defense to aggravated stalking;
(b) in violation of a court order setting conditions of release and bond;
(c) when the person is in possession of a deadly weapon; or
(d) when the victim is less than sixteen years of age.

B. Whoever commits aggravated stalking is guilty of a fourth degree felony. Upon a second or subsequent conviction, the offender is guilty of a third degree felony.

C. In addition to any punishment provided pursuant to the provisions of this section, the court shall order a person convicted of aggravated stalking to participate in and complete a program of professional counseling at his own expense.

N.M. Stat. Ann. § 30-3A-3. Stalking; penalties. (2009)
A. Stalking consists of knowingly pursuing a pattern of conduct, without lawful authority, directed at a specific individual when the person intends that the pattern of conduct would place the individual in reasonable apprehension of death, bodily harm, sexual assault, confinement or restraint of the individual or another individual.

B. As used in this section:

(1) “lawful authority” means within the scope of lawful employment or constitutionally protected activity; and
(2) “pattern of conduct” means two or more acts, on more than one occasion, in which the alleged stalker by any action, method, device or means, directly, indirectly or through third parties, follows, monitors, surveils, threatens or communicates to or about a person.

C. Whoever commits stalking is guilty of a misdemeanor. Upon a second or subsequent conviction, the offender is guilty of a fourth degree felony.

D. In addition to any punishment provided pursuant to the provisions of this section, the court shall order a person convicted of stalking to participate in and complete a program of professional counseling at the person’s own expense or a domestic violence offender treatment or intervention program.

Oklahoma

21 Okl. St. § 1173. Stalking-Penalties. (2000)

A. Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or harasses another person in a manner that:

1. Would cause a reasonable person or a member of the immediate family of that person as defined in subsection F of this section to feel frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested; and

2. Actually causes the person being followed or harassed to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of the crime of stalking, which is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one (1) year, or by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

B. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection A of this section when:

1. There is a permanent or temporary restraining order, a protective order, an emergency ex parte protective order, or an injunction in effect prohibiting the behavior described in subsection A of this section against the same party, when the person violating the provisions of subsection A of this section has actual notice of the issuance of such order or injunction;

2. Said person is on probation or parole, a condition of which prohibits the behavior described in subsection A of this section against the same party or under the conditions of a community or alternative punishment; or

3. Said person, within ten (10) years preceding the violation of subsection A of this section, completed the execution of sentence for a conviction of a crime involving the use or threat of violence against the same party, or against any member of the immediate family of such party, shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not exceeding five (5) years, or by a fine of not more than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

C. Any person who :

1. Commits a second act of stalking within ten (10) years of the completion of sentence for a prior conviction of stalking; or

2. Has a prior conviction of stalking and, after being served with a protective order that prohibits contact with an individual, knowingly makes unconsented contact with the same individual, shall, upon conviction , be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not exceeding five (5) years, or by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

D. Any person who commits an act of stalking within ten (10) years of the completion of execution of sentence for a prior conviction under subsection B or C of this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not exceeding ten (10) years, or by a fine of not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by both such fine and imprisonment.

E. Evidence that the defendant continued to engage in a course of conduct involving repeated unconsented contact, as defined in subsection F of this section, with the victim after having been requested by the victim to discontinue the same or any other form of unconsented contact, and to refrain from any further unconsented contact with the victim, shall give rise to a rebuttable presumption that the continuation of the course of conduct caused the victim to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed, or molested.

F. For purposes of this section:

1. “Harasses” means a pattern or course of conduct directed toward another individual that includes, but is not limited to, repeated or continuing unconsented contact, that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress, and that actually causes emotional distress to the victim. Harassment shall include harassing or obscene phone calls as prohibited by Section 1172 of this title and conduct prohibited by Section 850 of this title. Harassment does not include constitutionally protected activity or conduct that serves a legitimate purpose;

2. “Course of conduct” means a pattern of conduct composed of a series of two or more separate acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of “course of conduct”;

3. “Emotional distress” means significant mental suffering or distress that may, but does not necessarily require, medical or other professional treatment or counseling;

4. “Unconsented contact” means any contact with another individual that is initiated or continued without the consent of the individual, or in disregard of that individual’s expressed desire that the contact be avoided or discontinued. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of unconsented contact. Unconsented contact includes but is not limited to any of the following:

a. following or appearing within the sight of that individual,

b. approaching or confronting that individual in a public place or on private property,

c. appearing at the workplace or residence of that individual,

d. entering onto or remaining on property owned, leased, or occupied by that individual,

e. contacting that individual by telephone,

f. sending mail or electronic communications to that individual, and

g. placing an object on, or delivering an object to, property owned, leased, or occupied by that individual; and

5. “Member of the immediate family”, for the purposes of this section, means any spouse, parent, child, person related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity or any other person who regularly resides in the household or who regularly resided in the household within the prior six (6) months.

Texas

Tex. Penal Code § 42.072. Stalking. (2014)
(a) A person commits an offense if the person, on more than one occasion and pursuant to the same scheme or course of conduct that is directed specifically at another person, knowingly engages in conduct that:
(1) constitutes an offense under Section 42.07, or that the actor knows or reasonably should know the other person will regard as threatening:
(A) bodily injury or death for the other person;

(B) bodily injury or death for a member of the other person’s family or household or for an individual with whom the other person has a dating relationship; or

(C) that an offense will be committed against the other person’s property;

(2) causes the other person, a member of the other person’s family or household, or an individual with whom the other person has a dating relationship to be placed in fear of bodily injury or death or in fear that an offense will be committed against the other person’s property, or to feel harassed, annoyed, alarmed, abused, tormented, embarrassed, or offended; and

(3) would cause a reasonable person to fear:

(A) fear bodily injury or death for himself or herself;

(B) fear bodily injury or death for a member of the person’s family or household or for an individual with whom the person has a dating relationship; or

(C) fear that an offense will be committed against the person’s property; or

(D) feel harassed, annoyed, alarmed, abused, tormented, embarrassed, or offended.

(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree, except that the offense is a felony of the second degree if the actor has previously been convicted of an offense under this section or of an offense under any of the following laws that contains elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense under this section:

(1) the laws of another state;

(2) the laws of a federally recognized Indian tribe;

(3) the laws of a territory of the United States; or

(4) federal law.

(c) For purposes of this section, a trier of fact may find that different types of conduct described by Subsection (a), if engaged in on more than one occasion, constitute conduct that is engaged in pursuant to the same scheme or course of conduct.

(d) In this section:

(1)“Dating relationship,” “family,” “household,” and “member of a household” have the meanings assigned by Chapter 71, Family Code.

(2) “Property” includes a pet, companion animal, or assistance animal, as defined by Section 121.002, Human Resources Code.

SECTION 2. Chapter 13, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 13.36 to read as follows:

ART. 13.36. Stalking. The offense of stalking may be prosecuted in any county in which an element of the offense occurred.

SECTION 3. Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 38.46 to read as follows:
ART. 38.46. Evidence in prosecutions for stalking.

(A) in a prosecution for stalking, each party may offer testimony as to all relevant facts and circumstances that would aid the trier of fact in determining whether the actor’s conduct would cause a reasonable person to experience a fear described by section 42.072(A)(3)(A), (B), or (C), penal code, including the facts and circumstances surrounding any existing or previous relationship between the actor and the alleged victim, a member of the alleged victim’s family or household, or an individual with whom the alleged victim has a dating relationship.

(B) This article does not permit the presentation of character evidence that would otherwise be inadmissible under the Texas rules of evidence or other applicable law.

SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date.