Richmond Stalking Lawyer
Stalking is defined by Virginia Code Section 18.2-60.3 that states that stalking occurs when any person – so, if any person – on more than one occasion engages in conduct directed at another person with the intent to place or when they know or reasonably should know that the conduct places that person in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault or bodily injury to that other person or to that other person’s family.
Essentially, stalking is when the accused repeatedly does something that they either know or have reason to know that will put their victim in fear of death, criminal sexual assault or bodily injury, or puts one of their family members in fear of death, criminal sexual assault or bodily injury. If an individual has been charged with stalking someone, they should consult an experienced assault attorney. A skilled Richmond stalking lawyer could devote the time and resources necessary to build a person’s defense.
Elements of Stalking Offenses
One of the first elements in stalking cases is the identification of the accused. The prosecutor must identify the accused, disclose what they are being accused of, and showing that on multiple occasions, the accused engaged in in conduct directed at another person. That means that the behaviors cannot be accidental. The individual must know what they are doing and have intentionally directed their conduct at their accuser.
Then there is the criminal intent element with the intent to place the accuser in fear or if the conduct does not intend to place someone in fear, that the individual knew or had reason to know that it would put the person in fear. The caveat there is that certain conduct that would not put Person A in any kind of fear could put Person Be in fear, depending on the accuser, that the accused must know that the conduct is going to put them in fear of, of course, death, sexual assault or bodily injury and that the complaining party is either, of course, the accuser or a family member of the accuser. A Richmond stalking lawyer could attempt to disprove these elements when attempting to defend someone’s case.
Benefit of a Richmond Stalking Lawyer
Stalking is a very complex offense that is also very sensitive in nature. It has a stigma around it. Stalking also carries an additional stigma around it because it does carry – even in situations as to where the accuser is not being placed in fear of sexual assault, stalking does either have a stigma of violence and sexual perversion. That is why it is important for those who have been charged with stalking offenses to work with a Richmond stalking lawyer. An individual is going to need a criminal defense attorney that can attempt to protect their interests while fighting the charge, preparing the best possible defenses and also protecting their standing in the community. Those who have been charged should contact a skilled defense attorney that could advocate for them and build a solid defense.
