What actions might be considered stalking in Michigan?

Sometimes relationships go awry or end badly. It is only natural to wonder about what your ex is up to after your relationship ends. However, delving too deep may be considered stalking, which is a crime in Michigan.

What is stalking under Michigan law?

Under Michigan law, stalking is the willful repeated or ongoing harassment of someone. This conduct must put a reasonable person in a place to feel terrorized, frightened, intimated, threatened, harassed or molested and that actually causes a person to experience these feelings. Stalking is a misdemeanor crime and can lead to a one-year prison sentence and/or a fine of $1,000.

What are some examples of stalking?

Following a person to or from work, or continuously contacting them at work may be considered stalking. Repeated phone calls to a person, especially at late hours may be considered stalking. Following a person as they leave their house to go to work, take their kids to school or run errands may also be considered stalking. Monitoring and harassing a person over the Internet, including social media platforms, may be considered stalking. Hanging out around a person’s house continuously is another form of stalking.

Learn more about your rights

If you are accused of stalking, you may be very afraid of what your future holds. After all, stalking could lead to stiff fines and imprisonment. Our firm’s website on criminal law may be of use to those who want to learn more about their rights and options when accused of a crime.