California
State Law
Stalking
is defined by the California Penal Code Section 646.9, which provides that
"any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or
harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to
place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety
of his or her immediate family" is guilty of the crime of stalking.
Federal
Law
Stalking
as defined in the United States Code, Sec. 2261A. Interstate Stalking
Punishment and Prevention Act, provides whoever travels across a State line or within the
special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States with
the intent to injure or harass another person, and in the course of, or as
a result of, such travel places that person in reasonable fear of the
death of, or serious bodily injury to, that person or a member of that
person's immediate family is guilty of the crime of stalking.
Characteristics
of Stalking
More
simply put, probably the best term to define stalking is unwanted pursuit.
The act of stalking can occur between strangers, intimates, co-workers and
includes many different behaviors, but all share
two common features: they involve actions not wanted by the victim and
they threaten or cause fear to the victim. A person is liable for
the crime of stalking when one or more of the following elements is
involved:
Unwanted letters, cards, notes, and / or
gifts
Credible threats to self, family, and / or
friends
Unwanted emails and pages
Unwanted telephone calls and messages on
voicemails or answering machines
Inappropriate approaches and confrontations
Appearing unexpectedly at a place of work,
residence, or place frequently visited
Damage to property
Following or watching from a distance
Physical and / or sexual assault
Contact Galahad Protective
Services at 818-780-1818 or,
complete our inquiry form.
