Knowledgebase

Stalking is any course of conduct (two or more separate incidents) that causes a reasonable person to fear for their safety or suffer emotional distress. A person may have committed stalking if that person completed at least two acts of the following, monitoring, threatening or interfering with another person. Stalking behavior would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. Emergency Stalking No Contact Order (Immediate Order): An Emergency Order can be obtained in lieu of a Plenary Order of Protection. The order is good for 14 to 21 days. Emergency stalking orders can be obtained without having to inform the accused that you are asking for it. However, the accused will be notified on what day they must appear in court. Plenary Stalking No Contact Order (Final or Long-term Order): This Order may be good for up to two years. You must have a hearing in front of a judge. The stalker must be notified of the hearing before the order can be granted. You can bring a lawyer, rape crisis advocate, and/or a friend for support. You can bring witnesses and evidence to Court to support your testimony. The Sheriff will let the stalker know about the hearing and, at the hearing, a judge will then grant or deny your petition.  Violation of Orders of Protection can result in a class A misdemeanor. Subsequent violations can result in a class 4 felony.