What Happens When You Are Being Harassed?
Harassment laws are among the most confusing laws for many people. In a nutshell, the Tennessee Code defines harassment as a continuous or repeated action that results in emotional distress to the harassed person. However, the harasser must have performed the action intending to intimidate, scare, or threaten the victim.
If you’d like to learn more about harassment or are facing a harassment charge, don’t hesitate to speak to a Murfreesboro harassment lawyer right away. While some harassment charges seem minor at first glance, they may be attached to more serious charges, such as domestic violence, stalking, assault, violating parole or probation, and violation of an order of protection, among others. All these can negatively alter your life.
How Do You Know If You Are Being Harassed?
Harassment can include the following:
- Being followed by someone in public
- Bullied in school. This includes physical contact and destruction of your property
- Cyberbullied, meaning you’re bullied through social media, text, email, messages, and other digital or electronic means
- Getting repeated unwanted phone calls
- Being insulted through words or gestures in public
- You’re receiving unwanted communication at odd hours
- Being insulted, taunted, threatened, or otherwise challenged to provoke a disorderly or violent response from you
There’s also sexual harassment, which is a serious issue in schools and workplaces. It entails unconsented sexual behaviors, such as unwelcome requests for dates or sexual favors, sexual advances, or other physical, nonverbal, or verbal conduct that’s sexual in nature.
While unconsented sexual requests or advances may require civil actions or be resolved internally, if the incident involves fondling, groping, or more, it will be considered a sex crime, which falls under criminal law. This also applies to stalking, which can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances.
What to Do If You’ve Been Charged with Harassment in Murfreesboro
If you’re facing a harassment charge in Murfreesboro, here are some do’s and don’ts to protect your case:
- Work with a Murfreesboro harassment lawyer right away and follow their advice, especially what you can and can’t do.
- Don’t attempt to talk to, interact with, contact, call, or message your accuser. You could make things worse or violate a protective order against you.
- Refrain from making any statements to the police or the prosecutor without your lawyer present.
- Gather any evidence that might help your case, including messages, phone call logs, emails, witness statements, and others.
Keep in mind that harassment is a class A misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine not exceeding $2,500 and up to a year in prison. However, it can be bumped up to a felony if you attempt to contact your accuser and commit an offense or you commit a crime that leads to the victim’s death and your attempt to contact their family.
Learn More About Your Case From Our Skilled Murfreesboro Harassment Lawyer
Joshua T. Crain, our Murfreesboro harassment lawyer, has extensive experience representing the accused and understands the intricacies and nuances of Tennessee’s harassment laws. Contact us online or call 615-848-2088 to arrange your case consultation with our Murfreesboro harassment lawyer today.