In Texas, stalking and harassment are considered criminal charges. If you have been charged with stalking or harassment, state authorities will decide whether to prosecute you. Even if the alleged victim does not want to pursue prosecution, a prosecutor could still decide to bring charges against you. Suppose you have been charged with stalking or harassment in Dallas-Fort Worth. In that case, it is crucial that you understand the charges against you and work with an experienced attorney to develop a legal strategy.
Understanding Stalking and Harassment Charges
Understanding the types of charges against you and what can be considered stalking or harassment can help individuals avoid these actions. It is important to take protective orders seriously and respond appropriately. An attorney can help you understand your legal rights and obligations. False accusations of stalking and harassment are common.
Many believe they can explain to a judge that the person accusing them of stalking and harassment is lying and that the judge will have the false charges against them dismissed. Unfortunately, this is not always how the justice system works. Innocent people have been convicted of stalking and harassment based on false statements from an alleged victim.
Due to the potentially serious consequences of being convicted of stalking or harassment, it is crucial that someone charged vigorously defend themselves when wrongly accused. Do not reach out to the person who has made the charges against you because they may claim that your talking to them is proof of additional harassment or stalking. The first thing you should do is reach out to a criminal defense attorney who can help you understand your rights.
Private individuals do not have the option to drop the charges against you anyway. Even if you convince the alleged victim to drop the charges, you can still be convicted of stalking and harassment. It is not worth the potential consequences of additional charges to keep pursuing discussions with the victim. Stopping all communication and contacting an attorney is the best course of action when you have been charged. If your case proceeds to the trial phase, you should understand what to expect during the process.
Discuss Your Case With a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been accused of stalking and harassment, your first instinct may be to reach out to the person who accused you and resolve the conflict. Doing so could cause additional problems, and your statements could be used against you as continued evidence of stalking and harassment. Instead, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Even if the allegations against you are false, it’s crucial that you take them seriously because the penalties are serious. Being convicted of stalking and harassment can result in jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record that could hurt your employment and housing options. Do not hesitate to contact the Dallas-Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys at Abel Law Firm to schedule a free case evaluation.