Mohegan Sun Casino Harassment Lawyer

Although the Mohegan Sun Casino is located entirely within the Mohegan Reservation, tribal law enforcement authorities work closely with their counterparts in the state of Connecticut and often assist with the state-level prosecution of casino visitors who violate the Connecticut Penal Code while on casino grounds. If you have been accused of harassing someone to a criminal degree while at the casino, you should make it a priority to contact a Mohegan Sun Casino harassment lawyer and discuss your options for contesting your charges.

Degrees of Harassment Defined Under State Law

The Connecticut Penal Code defines two different “degrees” of criminal harassment that someone may be charged with in Connecticut, one of which is a misdemeanor and the other is a felony. Harassment in the Second Degree is the misdemeanor version of this offense and, as per Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-183, entails someone engaging in one of the following actions without “legitimate purpose” and with the intention to “harass, terrorize, or alarm another person”:

• Communicating with another person through any mail, computer, telephone, or other communication service (including emails and text messages, on and off social media) in a way which is likely to cause intimidation, alarm, or terror;
• Making a telephone call or engaging in any other form of communication in a manner likely to cause intimidation, alarm, or terror, regardless of whether a conversation ensues; and/or
• Communicating or sharing a photograph, video or words, or engaging in any other form of communication in a digital, electronic, online or other meeting space, in a manner likely to cause intimidation, alarm, or terror.

Harassment in the Second Degree is a Class C misdemeanor, meaning the maximum sanctions a convicted person could face would be up to $500 in fines and up to three months of incarceration.

Conversely, Harassment in the First Degree, as defined under C.G.S. § 53a-182b, is a Class D felony, punishable upon by up to five years’ confinement in state prison plus a maximum of $5,000 in fines, even for a first-time offender. As a Mohegan Sun Casino harassment attorney can further explain, this offense entails someone threatening to physically injure or kill someone else via telephone, telegraph, mail, computer network, or any other form of written communication after having previously been convicted of a violent felony offense.

Mitigating the Consequences of a Harassment Allegation

In addition to the criminal consequences mentioned above, harassment can also be categorized as a “family violence” offense if the allegedly targeted person shares a family or household connection with the defendant. While this would not allow for enhanced criminal penalties upon conviction as it might in other states, it will usually expedite the early stages of the defendant’s criminal proceedings and result in them having a protective order imposed against them, which could substantially limit their personal freedom while their case is ongoing.

Support from a skilled defense lawyer can be vital to effectively handling either side of a domestic violence case based on an alleged instance of harassment at the Mohegan Sun Casino. From interacting with criminal and family court officials on a defendant’s behalf to building a comprehensive defense strategy that contests specific elements of the prosecution’s case, representation from seasoned legal counsel can be essential to securing a favorable result.

Speak With a Mohegan Sun Casino Harassment Attorney Today

Dealing with criminal allegations of any kind stemming from a trip to Mohegan Sun can be uniquely complicated on both procedural and personal levels, especially if you stand accused of criminally harassing someone else. Fortunately, there is assistance available from dedicated legal professionals who know how to handle accusations like this both on Mohegan tribal lands and in the state of Connecticut. Call the Law Offices of Mark Sherman today to learn more about how a Mohegan Sun Casino harassment lawyer could help in your unique situation, and click here to learn more about what our past clients say about working with our team.