Stalking Charges

If you’re accused of stalking in Colorado, you’re facing serious charges with equally serious consequences. Your Colorado criminal defense attorney will explain the stalking laws and your rights under those laws, as well as possible defense strategies.

To stalk someone is to intrude on their privacy. Stalking can have a crippling effect on the victim. As the stalking escalates, a victim has to rearrange their routine in order to stay one step ahead of the stalker. The emotional toll can become unbearable.

A 2009 U.S. Department of Justice report stated that over 40 percent of stalking victims was afraid of what the stalker’s next move would be. Over 20 percent feared the stalker would never stop. More than half of the victims was afraid their stalker would hurt them or their children. One in seven victims relocated to get away from their stalkers.

Stalkers not only cost their victims their peace of mind, their actions also affects their finances. According to the Department of Justice’s report, three in 10 victims incurred expenses for relocation, security devices, property damage repairs, child care and phone number changes. Many stalkers had to take a week or more off work, resulting in lost income. The emotional toll of stalking affected productivity on the job. Stalking victims struggled with feelings of anger, fear, anxiety, helplessness and depression.

Even if you never make physical contact with the victim, your actions may constitute stalking, even if you meant no harm. Your criminal defense attorney will be able to determine from police and witness statements if you behaved in a manner that constituted stalking. He will likely advise you to stay away from the accuser until the matter is resolved. You may feel you owe your accuser an apology or want to clear the air, but approaching your accuser when you’re facing stalking charges may do more harm for your case than good. It’s better to keep your distance and let your defense attorney tell your side of the story.