Fairfield Second-Degree Harassment Lawyer

Under Connecticut law, specifically C.G.S. § 53(a)-183, to be arrested in Fairfield, CT for harassment a person must be accused of using indecent or obscene language over the telephone; delivering an annoying, harassing, or an alarming message over the fax, email, mail, or social media; or intentionally making a telephone call that causes annoyance or alarm. This specific statute would not complicate a harassment arrest, because it is for all arrests for harassment in the second-degree in Connecticut. If you have been charged with delivering harassing or annoying messages, speak to a Fairfield second-degree harassment lawyer for help. A skilled harassment attorney could devote the time and resources necessary to achieve a positive outcome for you.

Common Fact Patterns

The most common examples of second-degree harassment are:

  • People using obscene language over the phone,
  • Calling someone repeatedly in a frequency and manner that annoys or alarms them, including calling someone repeatedly and hanging up
  • Sending a multitude of texts, emails, tweets, social media and Facebook messaging to a person that would cause them either alarm or fear for their safety or some type of repeated annoyance

Procedure of Investigation

In Fairfield, the general police procedure for investigating a second-degree harassment case involves some type of Internet communication. These days the Fairfield Police Department has a digital forensic police lab and is also receiving government funding for training in cell phone and social media forensics.

Arrests for Harassment

Scenarios in which a person might be arrested for harassment in the second degree frequently arise in domestic violence arrests when either spouses or loved ones are taking their anger and aggression out on each other over some type of electronic or digital media outlet. Also, the Fairfield police are currently cracking down on workplace and school bullying where co-workers or fellow students are taking their anger out on each other over the Internet. A Fairfield lawyer should be involved in a person’s harassment in the second-degree case as soon as possible after arrest.

What Are The Consequences of a Second-Degree Harassment Arrest?

A second-degree harassment arrest could impact an individual’s life by affecting their employment, their reputation, and their family life. Some of the potential long-term consequences are a permanent criminal record and up to 90 days of jail exposure, since it is a Class C misdemeanor. Also, they could be subject to fines and probation.

Professional consequences that could come from an arrest or a conviction for harassment in the second-degree are losing a person’s job as well as blocking any new employment leads as many companies would probably be hesitant to hire anyone with pending charges or convictions on their records, even if it is just a misdemeanor conviction.

Can I Challenge a Harassment Arrest?

A person could challenge their harassment arrest. A Fairfield lawyer may be able to help the prosecutors realize that there was not probable cause for the second-degree harassment arrest, and that the accusations do not rise to the level of alarm or annoyance that supports.

How a Fairfield Second-Degree Harassment Attorney Could Help

There are ways a Fairfield second-degree harassment lawyer could intervene with the police on a person’s behalf during an arrest. If someone knows that they are being investigated for harassment in the second-degree, they could hire an attorney to with the police and help prevent an arrest or help navigate the entire process. Once a person is arrested, an attorney can take over any future correspondence with the police. If you were charged with a harassment offense, call Mark Sherman Law.

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