North Carolina Stalking & Harassment Laws

It is not uncommon for victims of stalking to believe that they may be overreacting. However, if you suspect or have evidence that you are being harassed or stalked, you may need to take legal action to protect yourself and your future.

With help from a reputable North Carolina stalking lawyer at Breeden Law Office, you can get help understanding North Carolina’s stalking laws so you can take steps to empower and protect yourself.

Call our office at (919) 661-4970 to schedule your consultation and find out how to ensure your stalker is brought to justice.

What Is Stalking or Harassment Under North Carolina Law?

According to North Carolina General Statute § 14-277.3A, an individual can be charged with stalking if they harass someone on multiple occasions or engage in conduct directed at a specific individual they know or should know denotes harassment.

For the stalking offense to have occurred, the victim must have experienced one or more of the following:

• Endured severe emotional distress caused by the fear of harassment, bodily injury, or death
• Experience fear for their own safety or that of their close friends or family members

Stalking can also only occur when there has been a continued pattern of intimidation, observation of the victim, following the victim, monitoring the victim, or attempting to engage with the victim directly or through a third party despite repeated attempts to avoid them.

Stalking can take many forms under North Carolina laws. Some examples of stalking could include:

• Spying on the victim
• Repeatedly calling the victim after having been asked to stop on multiple occasions
• Threatening to damage the victim’s home or property
• Actually damaging the victim’s home or property
• Sending or leaving threatening texts, messages, or phone calls
• Following the victim
• Showing up at the victim’s job or home
• Driving by the victim’s home or job
• Spreading lies about the victim
• Contacting the victim’s job or family members
• Making threats of sexual or physical assault
• Physical or sexual assault of the victim
• Threatening to hurt the victim’s pets
• Actually hurting the victim’s pets
• Sending the victim unwanted notes, letters, or messages

If you have experienced any of the previously mentioned types of stalking, you may have the right to take action against your stalker. You can contact a North Carolina stalking attorney at Breeden Law Office to determine which options will help protect you and ensure your stalker is held accountable.

Who Can Be A Stalker?

There are many different types of stalkers. Generally, they can be classified as being:

• Resentful stalkers – These stalkers intend to take vengeance against the victim.
• Rejected stalkers – These stalkers are hoping to retaliate against or maintain a relationship with someone they previously had a relationship with, such as a former friend or spouse.
• Predatory stalkers – These stalkers intend to cause physical bodily harm or death to the victim.
• Intimacy-seeking stalkers – These stalkers are obsessed with having an intimate relationship with the victim and often consider any response from the victim, whether negative or positive, an indication that the victim is in love with them.
• Incompetent stalkers – These stalkers believe they can change the victim’s mind when they realize the victim is not interested in pursuing any type of friendship or relationship with them.

You may not be sure which type of stalker yours qualifies under. Your North Carolina stalking attorney can review the details of your case, such as any intimidation attempts, your relationship with the stalker, or any other pertinent information.

Take Steps to Protect Yourself From a Stalker

It is vital to take action to protect yourself when you suspect or know you are being stalked. With help from your North Carolina stalking lawyer, you can take steps to limit contact with your stalker and prevent them from continuing to harass or stalk you. Some of the steps you can take to reduce and restrict contact include:

• Always keep your phone with you
• Inform your friends, neighbors, and family about your stalker so they are aware and can keep an eye out for you
• Always lock your doors and windows
• Discuss whether it is in your best interests to change your Social Security number or phone number
• Park in well-lit areas when out of the house
• Make sure your door has a peephole installed
• Be aware of your surroundings, including making a note of concealed locations where your soccer could be hiding
• Keep documentation of the dates and times of phone calls or text messages
• Keep documentation of the information contained within text messages, emails, or other interactions
• Do not respond to your stalker

Once you realize you are being stalked, you must evaluate your home security system and inform law enforcement officials of what you are going through. You can file a police report to document your stalking, which will help build a case against your stalker should criminal charges apply.

With help from your stalking attorney in North Carolina, you may also be able to secure a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) or a civil no-contact order. You may be able to secure a DVPO if you have a former relationship with the stalker. A civil no-contact order is used in cases where your stalker is a stranger or an acquaintance.

Once the restraining order has been implemented, the stalker will be prohibited from coming into close contact with you or attempting to communicate with you in any way. If they violate the restraining order, they may be found in violation of a restraining order and face criminal charges in addition to the criminal charges they may be facing for stalking you.

Breeden Law Can Help You Secure Your Life

Being stalked can be a terrifying experience. You need an attorney on your side to understand how North Carolina stalking laws work so they can protect you and your future.

With a North Carolina stalking lawyer at Breeden Law Office advocating for your rights and liberties, you can feel empowered as you take back control of your life. Fill out our quick contact form or call our office at (919) 661-4970 to explore your legal options going forward.