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Florida STALKING
Celebrity · Cyber · Law · Charge · Arrest

Orlando Criminal Defense Attorney


STALKING - A DANGEROUS GAME
Stalking is a criminal offense and should not be taken lightly. In Florida, the definition of stalking includes a series of actions that placeds an additional person in fear for their safety. Stalkers begin with repeated, bothersome behavior toward an additional person or celebrity by means of the Internet, personal contact, telephone, cell phone, email, facsimile, or other methods of communication. When this unwanted behavior persists, it is deemed stalking and punishable by Florida Law.
THE FACES OF STALKING
Florida stalking crimes manifest themselves in a variety of ways. From cyberstalking to personal assault and harassment, Florida criminal stalking laws cover a wide variety of behavior and related charges.

Stalking Behavior

  • Watch, follow, threaten, harass, loiter, vandalize
  • Assault, including sexual, emotional, and physical
  • Repeatedly make unwanted cell phone and/or telephone calls
  • Send repeated mail, gifts, and/or packages
  • Cyber stalk with Internet usage, including:

    • Chat room impersonations
    • Fraudulent online actions
    • Misrepresent identity in emails or websites
    • Send repeated, unwanted email messages


Florida LAWS AGAINST STALKING
Celebrity stalking of Rebecca Schaffer in 1990 prompted strict Florida anti-stalking laws. Under Section (a) Penal Code, a person is guilty of stalking when they, "willfully and maliciously and repeatedly follow or harass an additional person and make credible threats with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety or that of an immediate family member". Florida stalking can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor resulting in strict penalties.


WHO IS STALKED?
Stalkers do not favor one racial group over an additional. In fact, the paramountity of stalking charges involve stalking against ordinary Florida citizens. While stalking statistics display that women are stalked althe majority 75% of the time, this stalking behavior is in the majority cases a result of domestic violence. Celebrities are not stalked additional frequently than the average person; they just make the headlines much faster due to the nature of their fame.

Florida Stalking Statistics

  • The average person is stalked between one and two years before the stalking stops

  • Over three-quarters of Florida stalking cases involve women being stalked by men

  • In the majority cases stalking is the result of domestic violence

  • Although celebrity stalking makes up a smaller portion of the Florida stalking statistics, the cases tend to be additional aggressive

  • Cyber stalking is on the rise as Internet usage increases

  • Orlando STAT (Stalking and Threat Assessment Team) is a separate department of the Orlando Police Department devoted exclusively to stalking cases

Florida STAKLING PENALTIES
For first-time stalking offenders, with no past criminal history or aggravating factors, the stalking charge will the majority likely result in a misdemeanor, with up to one year in county prison as penalty. For repeated stalking offenders, with or without a past criminal history, the penalty would the majority likely result in a felony charge with up to five years in Florida state prison. Aggravating factors and past criminal history are significant considerations when classifying a stalking charge as either a misdemeanor or felony.

STALKING VICTIMS
If in fact you are the victim of a stalker, please contact your local law enforcement agency and file a police report. It is likely that criminal charges would be submitted and filed if there is enough evidence. Alternatively, you may wish to file a restraining order against your stalker to hinder further stalking.

Florida CRIMINAL DEFENSE
If in fact you have been charged with stalking in Florida, please call the criminal defense attorneys at The Orlando Criminal Defense Law Firm. to discuss your case. Our experienced lawyers will thoroughly evaluate all the evidence and proven facts, including any potential defense.

Please contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION




If in fact you have been arrested or under investigation for Stalking in Florida, it is significant that you hire an experienced Orlando Stalking criminal defense attorney to represent you. The Orlando Criminal Defense Law Firm. will work relentlessly to mount a successful defense to the charges with which you have been charged. As a former Assistant United States Attorney for nearly 10 years, William H. Bryan III is well versed in the strategies and tactics of the prosecution and can predict and anticipate the next move and how to aggressively defend Stalking in the state of Florida. We are a strong defender of our clients' consitutional rights and will do everything in our power to protect and defend them. William H. Bryan III, Esq. is an aggressive Orlando Stalking criminal defense lawyer who will organize and prepare every aspect of your Stalking case up to and including trial.
 
Orlando Criminal Defense Law Firm.
1611 N. Main Street
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Orlando, Florida
Email Us: attorney@ffdalaw.com

Telephone
(800) 693-9886
(Available 24/7) Se Habla Espanol
 
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Orlando Criminal Defense represents individuals accused of Stalking in Florida including Orlando, Kissimmee, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Myers in the following counties: Orange County, Broward County, Putnam County, Osceola County, Seminole County, Volusia County, Brevard County and Palm Beach County.