Are You Looking for Harassment Lawyers Near Gates, NY?

New York defines harassment as any action an offender takes to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm a victim. There are four different types of harassment in New York. They include:

• Second-degree harassment – a less-serious harassment charge. This statute includes any situation where an offender hits or threatens to hit the victim, follows the victim in public or causes the victim alarm or annoyance. Second-degree harassment is a violation-level offense that is punishable by fines but no jail time.
• Aggravated second-degree harassment – Class A misdemeanor. This occurs when an offender commits second-degree harassment and meets a number of other conditions. This crime can land an offender in jail for up to one year.
• First-degree harassment – Class B misdemeanor. This crime includes any situation where an offender intentionally follows a victim in public or does something that makes the victim fear for their safety. First-degree harassment is punishable by up to three months in jail, $500 in fines, or both.
• Aggravated first-degree harassment – Class E felony. An offender is guilty of this crime when they commit first-degree harassment because of a victim’s race, ancestry, disability, gender, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. For example, spray-painting swastikas or burning crosses are both aggravated first-degree harassment offenses. This crime is punishable by up to three years in prison.

If someone is accusing you of harassment, it’s important to consult a lawyer. That’s the best way to stay out of jail and maintain a clean criminal record. Don’t represent yourself. That’s inviting trouble. Instead, enlist the help of an attorney to clear your name in a harassment case.