Fairfield Harassment Lawyer
As an experienced assault attorney can further explain, being criminally charged for allegedly harassing another person could lead to steep fines and even jail time if your case ends with a conviction. On top of that, you may also be subject to family court proceedings, a potentially harsh protective order, and more if you allegedly targeted a family member or housemate of yours. Handling allegations like this proactively is much easier with a Fairfield harassment lawyer on your side.
How Does State Law Address Harassment?
Typically, Connecticut residents accused of criminal harassment will face charges under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-183. This section of the penal code, which specifically addresses Harassment in the Second Degree, makes it a Class C misdemeanor to do any of the following:
- Address another person with obscene or indecent language over the phone;
- Intentionally communicate with another person through the mail or some other form of written communication in a way “likely to cause annoyance or alarm;”
- Intentionally communicate with another person over the Internet in a way “likely to cause annoyance or alarm;” and/or
- Intentionally harass, annoy, or alarm another person by making one or more telephone calls, regardless of whether any conversation ensues.
A conviction in criminal court for this charge may result in maximum sanctions of $500 in fines and a three-month jail term. The convicted person may also be subject to mandatory psychiatric examination at the court’s discretion.
If someone convicted of a felony offense allegedly threatens to injure or kill another person over the phone or through any method of written or electronic communication, they could be charged with Harassment in the First Degree under C.G.S. § 53a-182b. However, there are certain exceptions to this that a Fairfield harassment attorney could further explain as needed. Since this type of harassment is a Class D felony, sanctions upon conviction may include up to five years imprisonment, a maximum of $5,000 in fines, and a mandatory psychiatric evaluation at the court’s discretion.
How Can I Contest Harassment Allegations?
It is important to emphasize that harassment as a criminal offense in Connecticut is intentionally defined in somewhat broad terms. What one person considers to be annoying or alarming behavior might not match the opinion of the person allegedly engaging in that behavior, and law enforcement authorities may have another opinion altogether. Additionally, an allegation of harassment against a family or household member does not necessarily need to end in a conviction—or even proceed to trial—for a court to categorize it as “family violence” and impose various restrictions on the defendant until their case concludes.
That said, it is often possible to effectively fight back against harassment charges by establishing that the defendant did not intend to alarm the person they were attempting to contact. They could also establish that they were not the one who actually sent the harassing messages in question. A harassment attorney in Fairfield can discuss possible defense strategies in more specific detail during a private consultation.
Consider Working with a Fairfield Harassment Attorney
Harassment is taken seriously by courts across Connecticut, and a conviction for any variation of this offense could have profound implications for your personal and professional future. Fortunately, you have assistance available from dedicated legal representatives who have the experience and expertise you need to secure a favorable result from your case. Contact a Fairfield harassment lawyer from Mark Sherman Law to get started, and click here to see what our past clients have said about working with us.