Stalking

Stalking 

We Have Offices Conveniently Located in Deland and Daytona Beach 

Stalking, more commonly thought of as harassment, is a crime outlined by Florida Statute 784.048. Stalking can include harassment, cyberstalking, or following a person. The circumstances of the offense can result in either a misdemeanor or a felony charge. With people using social media to connect with friends more and more, cyberstalking, or as it is sometimes referred to as “cyberbullying” can result in being charged criminally.

We have offices in DeLand and Daytona Beach and help clients throughout Central Florida fight their criminal charges. 

What is Stalking?

Stalking often conjures up the image of a shadowy figure following someone home at night, or an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend repeatedly contacting his or her former partner. While these examples do display stalking, the crime can apply to a variety of circumstances. The statute defines stalking as willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following, harassing, or cyberstalking another person. Harassment means to “engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves no legitimate purpose” [Florida Jury Instructions §784.04(1)(a)]. Course of conduct means “a pattern of conduct composed of a series of acts over a period of time, however short, which evidences a continuity of purpose” [Florida Jury Instructions §784.048(1)(b)]. Based on this broad definition, behavior that lasts for as little as an hour, or even less, can be considered harassment. Notice how stalking does not require a person to make a threat. Continuously involving yourself in the life of another without a legitimate purpose can put you at risk of being arrested.

Stalking is considered a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up 12 months in jail, 12 months probation, and a fine of $1,000. In addition, aggravating circumstances can result in steeper penalties.

Aggravated Stalking

Aggravated stalking is a third degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in jail, 5 years probation, and a fine of $5,000. Aggravated stalking can occur when you make a credible threat against the victim. Even if you have no intent to carry out the threat, the State only needs to prove that the threat was made, either verbally or nonverbally, and that it created a reasonable fear for the victim’s safety, or the safety of individuals closely associated with them [Fl. Stat. 784.048 (1)(c) and Fl. Stat. 784.048(3)]. Violating an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, dating violence or domestic violence will also result in a third degree felony classification [Fl. Stat. 784.048(4)]. The same applies if the victim is a child under 16 years of age [Fl. Stat. 784.048(5)].

The Thompson Law Approach

Matt Thompson defended a stalking case in Daytona Beach, Florida, where a dispute between neighbors erupted. There was no physical violence, just constant harassment back and forth between the neighbors. The alleged victims in the case repeatedly taped Mr. Thompson’s client whenever she was outside of her home. In an effort to defend his client, Attorney Thompson successfully filed a Motion to keep the video tapes out of evidence. As with all criminal cases, the State has the burden of proving every element of the charge beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt. As a former prosecutor, attorney Matt Thompson knows what weaknesses to look for in the State’s evidence and, more importantly, how to best present those weakness to a judge or jury. This means that we begin attacking the State’s evidence the moment you begin working with us. We start by speaking directly to you about the incident. This allows us to create a defense that is unique to the circumstances of your case. Thompson Law was designed to remain a small firm so that we can give each client the individualized attention his or her case needs. Unlike large law firms, when you hire Thompson Law, you are given direct access to your attorney via phone and email. When it comes to cases where years of imprisonment are on the line, having an attorney who you are able to contact easily is a great benefit to your case. If you’re facing serious charges, do not hesitate to call us for your free case evaluation.

  • Domestic Violence

    Client was texting a friend when her significant other tried to grab for her phone. When the client tried to pull away, the victim claimed that he was battered and the client was arrested and brought before DCF due a child being in the house. Attorney Matt Thompson wrote a letter to the State explaining the discrepancy in evidence and claimed that the client was in fact moving away from the victim and did not intentionally try to hit the victim. All charges against the client were dismissed.

  • Sale and Possession of Heroin

    Defendant entered a treatment facility while case was pending. Attorney Thompson provided progress reports of all of her progress during her stay to show improvement. State agreed to amend all charges to simple possession and the Defendant was sentenced into Drug Court.

  • Aggravated Assault with a Firearm

    Client was accused of shooting a shotgun over the head of two minors. Attorney Thompson did a public records request to discover that officers reported to the scene of the crime the night of the incident and spoke to the victims on the evening the alleged crime occurred and believed the victims to be intoxicated and unreliable. Attorney Thompson conducted depositions of the officers and ultimately all charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and no incarceration.

  • Grand Theft, Fleeing, Possession of a Fictitious Driver’s License

    Attorney Matt Thompson, through depositions and litigation was able to show that officers did not act according to the warrant by picking up the client immediately upon sight. The charge of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, which carries a mandatory felony conviction, was dismissed by the State and the client was offered probation and no felony conviction.

  • Sexual Battery & Domestic Battery

    Mr. Thompson took depositions of the victim showing that the victim was not truthful with police when she provided her statement as to what happened. Confronted victim with social media posts, bank records, and telephone records to show that she was not in the places that she stated she was during the time the alleged crime took place. Case 1 was dismissed and the Defendant pled to Case 2 and received two (2) years of prison and credit for fifteen (15) months in prison.

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