Stalking often starts with seemingly harmless behaviors, like persistent texting or following someone around. However, stalking is dangerous because it can quickly escalate into more threatening actions. This escalation can cause severe emotional distress and fear for the victim’s safety.
What constitutes stalking?
In Colorado, stalking involves a pattern of behavior that causes someone to feel fear, harassment, or emotional distress. Here are some actions that constitute stalking:
- Repeatedly following someone: Physically trailing a person wherever they go.
- Unwanted communication: Sending persistent and unsolicited messages, emails, or phone calls.
- Surveillance: Watching someone’s home, workplace, or other locations they frequent.
- Threatening behavior: Threatening the victim or their family and friends.
- Property damage: Vandalizing the victim’s property as a means of intimidation.
These actions create a hostile environment for the victim, making stalking a serious crime in Colorado.
Why stalking is a felony in Colorado
Stalking is a felony in Colorado due to the potential harm it can cause. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-3-602, stalking is classified as a class 5 felony for a first offense. If the perpetrator has prior convictions for stalking or related offenses, it may escalate to a class 4 felony.
Penalties for a class 5 felony include 1 to 4 years in prison and fines ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. For a class 4 felony, penalties increase to 2 to 6 years in prison and possibly fines up to $500,000.
Taking legal action against charges
Facing stalking charges in Colorado requires immediate legal attention. Given the severity of the penalties, you may want to seek help from a legal professional. They can help protect your rights, navigate the complexities of the legal system and build a strong defense.
