Stalking And Harassment Defense Lawyer Tampa
Our Stalking Defense Attorney Protects You From Unfair Charges
Being accused of stalking or harassment may feel embarrassing; your intentions were likely innocent, and it’s easy to believe that the purported target was simply overreacting. You may feel like it’s just a big misunderstanding that you can clear up with the police when they come to arrest you. But, don’t make the mistake of talking to police without the representation and protection of our Tampa, FL stalking and harassment defense lawyer.
Florida takes stalking and harassment charges very seriously. You could face a long time in prison, fines, and the loss of your reputation. The police just want to put you in jail. At Stechschulte Nell, we’re dedicated to keeping you out. We defend against both misdemeanor and felony harassment and stalking charges, including internet crimes. Please contact us today for a free consultation.
Stalking In Florida
Florida law regards stalking as a criminal act in which someone purposefully and repeatedly harasses another person. It also considers intending to stalk or harass someone a crime. Over the last couple of decades, the rise of the internet and ease of access to personal information has given rise to additional types of staking charges beyond physical, in-person harassment.
Some of the most common types of stalking charges involve:
- Cyberstalking
- Workplace stalking
- Celebrity stalking
- Stalking an ex-spouse or ex-partner
In most stalking cases, the victim is usually aware of the stalker’s actions and is usually the one to alert law enforcement. Once the behavior is reported, the victim is usually permitted to file a restraining order.
Perhaps you didn’t even know that there was a restraining order? Maybe the policy had outdated information about you on file, or there was another mistake. Now, a potentially innocent action misunderstanding becomes even more serious, with a restraining order violation charge. Our Tampa stalking and harassment defense lawyer can help mitigate penalties for that, too, if we don’t get the charge thrown out altogether.
Potential Defenses For Stalking Charges
Each case is different, as are the details of the relationship between the alleged victim and the person they’re accusing of stalking.
One way to prove your innocence is to prove a lack of knowledge or intent. Maybe you didn’t know that your actions were unwelcome, or that the other person was fearful. Many stalking cases hinge on intent, so we demonstrate that your intentions were benign. We may also demonstrate that your actions wouldn’t be considered threatening to a reasonable person (i.e., the victim overreacted).
We may also be able to prove that you are a victim of mistaken identity. Maybe you just happen to resemble someone the victim had an unpleasant past with, and you were charged by mistake.
Or, we may assert that your actions are part of your exercise of your right to freedom of speech and not deliberately threatening. This may be common for reporters and people in similar fields.
Another common defense is simple coincidence. Any encounters with the other person were accidental, unintentional, or a coincidence, not a deliberate pattern meant to threaten or cause distress.
Whatever defense our Tampa stalking and harassment defense lawyer sued for your case will be crafted with your best interests in mind. At Stechschulte Nell, we are dedicated to decoding your rights and freedom. Contact us today so we can start protecting you right away!
