Maryland Harassment or Stalking Charge? Get a Legal Consultation on Criminal Offenses
If you’ve been charged with harassment or stalking in a Maryland court and are wondering where to turn for the help and quality legal defense you need, you came to the right place. I am a Maryland criminal attorney ready to work and fight tirelessly on your case. Call today to discuss the details of your situation and find out how I can help.
Harassment and stalking charges are cases wrought with emotion. Perhaps you had a relationship with the alleged victim and feel like the law is taking things out of context. We want to help you clear your name and assure you get fair treatment while caught up in the Maryland legal system.
Being accused of an offense like this can be very humbling as it probably seems like no one is on your side. You don’t deserve to be treated poorly and we’ll give you the respect you deserve! You are innocent until proven guilty.
Maryland Harassment Laws & Penalties
Maryland has many categories of harassment, each with it’s own potential recommended sentence.
Generally harassment involves the following or maliciously engaging in a course of conduct with the intent to annoy or alarm another. This offense is a misdemeanor and punishable by up to 90 days in jail and $500 in fines.
Harassment by phone is making:
- An anonymous call to harass, annoy, embarrass, or torment another,
- Repeated calls to harass, annoy, embarrass, or torment, or
- A call that includes a comment, suggestion or proposal that is lewd, lascivious, or indecent.
Harassment by phone is a misdemeanor charge that carries a potential sentence of up to 3 years in prison and fines reaching $500.
Harassment by email involves using email to harass one or more people by sending lewd, lascivious, or obscene material. This harassment offense is also a misdemeanor but is punishable by up to 1 year in jail and fines reaching $500.
Ref: Maryland Statutes Title 3-8
Maryland Stalking Laws & Penalties
Stalking is defined by Maryland law as a malicious course of conduct that includes following or approaching another where you intend to or know the behavior would put the person in fear of:
- Serious bodily injury
- Rape or other sex offense
- False imprisonment, or
- Death
This offense is a serious felony which carries a potential sentence of up to 5 years and fines reaching $5,000. If another crime is committed in the commission of the stalking you can be charged separately for that as well.
Stalking and harassment charges are taken very seriously by the courts of Maryland. Because the courts are concerned that these types of activities could elevate to more serious offenses, they try to sentence them appropriately the first time.
If you are charged with a harassment or stalking offense, we can help. We want to know about the case and what led to the circumstances of your arrest. We want to work on your behalf, ensuring you get the best possible results on your day in court.
How I would fight the case depends on the exact facts of your situation. So call me to discuss your case, and I’ll lay out exactly what I think we can do to challenge the charges against you in court. Call (888) 452-4344 now or contact me and I’ll get back to you. But don’t wait.. some of our best defense options may have a limited time period.