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NY Penal Law § 120.45: Stalking in the fourth degree
NY Penal Law § 120.45: Stalking in the fourth degree
Stalking entails repeated, unwanted behavior that appears obsessive toward another individual. As a result of such behavior, that individual feels emotionally, mentally or physically threatened. As a behavior, stalking can include a variety of actions such as following, telephoning, emailing, and texting. It can also involve unexpectedly appearing or lurking around at a person’s place of employment, or sending someone messages through third party. The least serious stalking offense is stalking in the fourth degree. It is one of two stalking offenses that are classified as misdemeanors. You will be charged with stalking in the fourth degree under New York Penal Code § 120.45 if you do any of these things:
- Repeatedly tail, track or communicate with another individual in a manner that makes that person believe that you might physically harm that person, harm that person’s loved ones or damage that person’s property, or
- Repeatedly tail, track or communicate with another person in a manner that makes that causes the individual to suffer mental or emotional harm, or
- Appear unexpectedly and without invitation at another’s job or business, or communicate with that individual at his or her job or business such that you put his or her job, business or career in peril.
Example
In the case of People v. Tomossone, 961 N.Y.S.2d 360 (2013), the prosecutor brought evidence that, after Tomossone’s supervisor suspended Tomossone from the job, Tomossone began to stalk his supervisor by following him to his residence and to other locations in the area. Tomossone was convicted of stalking in the fourth degree.
Offenses that are Related
Stalking in the third degree: New York Penal Code § 120.50
Stalking in the second degree: New York Penal Code § 120.55
Stalking in the first degree: New York Penal Code § 120.60
Kidnapping in the second degree: New York Penal Code § 135.20
Harassment in the first degree: New York Penal Code § 240.25
Aggravated harassment in the second degree: New York Penal Code § 240.30
Possible Defenses
To be convicted of stalking in the fourth degree, the prosecutor must demonstrate that your behavior had no legitimate basis. If the individual that you are contacting owes you money, for example, repeatedly contacting them may be annoying, but in this case, it may not be classified as stalking. Employing reasonable efforts to collect an outstanding debt is not the same as stalking.
Sentence
Since stalking in the fourth degree is categorized as a Class B misdemeanor, if you are convicted, you could be sent to jail for up to 3 months and you may be obligated to pay a fine of up to $500. It is also possible that in lieu of jail time, the court may instead sentence you to serve a probation term of 1 year.