Stalking in Las Vegas
Stalking in Las Vegas – usually defined as purposely engaging in actions that may cause another person to feel annoyed, frightened, intimidated, harassed, or terrorized for their or a household member’s safety. It also applies if the action actually causes a person to fear for their or their family’s safety. Several actions that are legal (like texting) may be identified as stalking if the victim is unwilling or suffers emotional distress. Like many crimes, a domestic violence attorney in Las Vegas can help you get a reduction or a dismissal for your case.
What actions can be considered stalking?
Most states consider the following actions as stalking:
- Following someone without permission
- Harassment
- Obtaining personal information
- Taking pictures, videos, or audio without permission
- Calling, texting, sending emails and gifts to an unwilling recipient
- Threatening their target or their loved ones
- Sexual assault
- Unauthorized entry to their home
Is stalking domestic violence?
Yes. Some cases of domestic violence have the abuser trying to reconcile with the person they are targeting, by performing the preceding actions. If you were charged with other offenses relating to domestic violence, you may need a lawyer to defend your domestic violence charge.
Aggravated stalking
In aggravating stalking, the suspect has threatened their victim with death or bodily harm through direct, or indirect contact. This is a category B felony in Nevada.
Cyber stalking
Cyber stalking is stalking through the use of the Internet, email, text messaging or any other similar means of communication that can publish or display information. It is a category C felony.
Violating extended orders from the court
A court may give extended orders to command someone to stay away or cease all forms of contact from a specific individual, most likely the alleged victim. Violating this order is a category C felony.
Defending against allegations of stalking
Several defenses are available against claims of stalking:
- Your actions were part of the job. For example, the defendant may be a photographer or a reporter.
- The victim could be lying just to spite you, or have other motivations for claiming that you were stalking.
- Your actions did not cause any distress to the victim.
- Your actions would not have caused distressed to any reasonable person.
Penalties for stalking
Stalking is a misdemeanor for the first offense, and a gross misdemeanor for subsequent offenses. Aggravated stalking is classified as a Category B felony, while cyber stalking and violating protective orders are Category C felonies.
Stalking in Las Vegas – 1st Offense
- Fines not exceeding $1,000
- Up to 6 months in jail
Stalking in Las Vegas – Subsequent offenses
- Fines not exceeding $2,000
- Up to 1 year in jail.
Aggravated stalking
- Fines not exceeding $5,000
- 2 to 15 years in state prison.
Cyber stalking
- 1 to 5 years in state prison
- Fines not exceeding $10,000
Violating extended orders from the court
- Fines not exceeding $10,000
- 1 to 5 years in state prison
References and sources:
- https://leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-200.html#NRS200Sec575
- http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Division/Research/Publications/FactSheets/CrimeCharts/Catb.pdf
- Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartpilbrow/2894451883/