Regardless of the motives behind stalking, it remains illegal. Following around another person, making them feel unsafe, and repeatedly contacting them are forms of harassment which break the law of stalking in Oregon.
Stalking in Oregon Defined
The Oregon law defines stalking as when someone knowingly intimidates or frightens a person or a member of that person’s family. When repeated actions occur without any swift resolution, it is deemed as unsafe behavior. It’s also common for the stalker to continuously contact the victim and cause them to feel anxious and fear for their safety.
Stalking is not always a simple case. It can be accompanied by other felonies as well. Trespassing, breaking and entering, and intimidation of a witness could also be charged to the perpetrator as well.
In February 2017, Joel Steven Russell was arrested for stalking his ex-girlfriend in Springfield, Oregon. His ex-girlfriend had acquired a stalking protection order against him after Russell had damaged her car and repeatedly stalked her. After being found guilty to breaching the terms in the stalking protection order three different times, Russell was sentenced to two and a half years in Lane County Jail.
Stalking Protection Orders in Oregon
For stalking in Oregon, there is an essential measures which can be brought about to dissuade the stalker’s advances aside from hefty fines and possible jail time. The victim can pursue a stalking protection order. This court-approved article’s purpose is to prevent the stalker from continuing to intimidate and harass the victim or their family. The offender must remain a certain distance away from the victim for an amount of time decided by the judge.
In order to acquire a stalking protection order in Oregon, there are a few different requirements which must be met. Primarily, the stalker must have been repeatedly contacting the victim or the victim’s family and thus upset the parties affected. Secondarily, logic must be applied to the situation to ensure whether the victim is indeed in a dangerous situation. It must be a reasonable complaint for the court to consider granting a stalking protection order in Oregon. Finally, the stalker’s advances must have caused the victim worry and fear for either their own safety or their family member’s safety.
There is no cost involved for making a complaint, filing, serving the offender, or getting a court hearing about the stalking protection order in Oregon.
Stalking Crime Laws in Oregon
Stalking in Oregon is a Class A misdemeanor. Class A misdemeanors include other crimes such as shoplifting, reckless assault, and credit card fraud. However, stalking escalates to a Class C felony if the stalker has previously been convicted for stalking or violating a stalking protective order. Class C felonies have much more serious consequences.
Stalking Charges in Oregon
The charges applicable for stalking in Oregon vary. For a Class A misdemeanor, the charge includes a fine up to $6,250. If the offender has accrued a Class C felony charge, the charges are different. The maximum time spent in prison for a Class C felony charge is five years. The maximum fine which must be paid is $125,000.
The crime of stalking in Oregon is dependent on a visible pattern of ill-intended behavior. If the accused had intention of harming someone, threatening someone, or intimidating someone in general it can be construed as stalking. If you’ve been charged with stalking, get in touch with an experienced defense attorney immediately. You’ll want to have a solid case on your side put together by someone who has successfully weathered these cases before.