Stalking and the law: Has stalking been committed?

What does the law say about stalking?

Stalking is when someone purposefully engages in a course of conduct that harasses another person and makes terroristic threats while intending to make that person fear death or serious physical injury for himself or a member of his family.

Stalking can be a Class C or Class B felony. Sentences range from zero to twenty years.

What does the law mean?

Course of conduct means that a pattern of conduct consisting of two or more acts occurring within one year, but separated by at least 36 hours to establish that there is a course of conduct.

Harassment can include shoving, striking, kicking or otherwise touching a person without good cause or even threatening to do so. Harassment can also involve the use of obscene language or gestures in a public place. Following a person or continually being present outside of a school, place of employment, vehicle, or residence may be considered harassment.

Terroristic threatening is when someone purposely terrorizes another person by threatening them with death or serious physical injury or substantial property damage.