People who follow others online or in real life in order to threaten them or harass them can be charged with the crimes of cyberstalking or stalking. Somebody who believes that they are a victim of cyberstalking or stalking can ask the court for an injunction for protection against stalking or cyberstalking.
If you learn that you are required to appear in court for a permanent injunction hearing, you should retain an experienced Clearwater injunction attorney. It can be a costly mistake not to take this hearing seriously. Injunctions not only limit your rights and freedoms but also may open you up to the possibility of future criminal charges. Hanlon Law fights for the rights of the accused.
Stalking and cyberstalking are prohibited under Florida Statute section Stalking involves following or harassing someone in real life. Cyberstalking involves a course of conduct to communicate with somebody online, through email or social media or another electronic communication, without a legitimate reason for doing so and causing significant emotional distress.
As first offenses, stalking and cyberstalking are first-degree misdemeanors. However, it may be charged as a third-degree felony if there are aggravating factors. You can be charged with aggravated stalking under several different circumstances. Among other things, if you stalk or cyberstalk someone after being subject to an injunction for protection against stalking or cyberstalking or an order protecting against domestic violence, repeat violence , dating violence, or sexual violence , you can face third-degree felony aggravated stalking charges.
Similarly, if the court previously sentenced you for specific sex crimes and issued a no-contact order, and you willfully, repeatedly, or maliciously stalk or cyberstalk someone in violation of that order, you may face third-degree felony aggravated stalking charges.
