How Does New York State Legally Define What Stalking Is?

Is there someone that is creeping you out? Do they show up where you are? Do they send you emails? Notes? Gifts that make your skin crawl?

You might refer to them as your 'stalker,' but what does New York State define stalking as? Legally, that is. When can you know that you need to speak up and get the police involved?

How does New York State define the term 'Stalking?'

petdcat

New York State does not just see one type of stalking, they break it down to four different kinds, or four different 'degrees,' each bringing with it different punishments, based on the level. Please note, that at any time if you do not feel safe, call the police or get yourself to the nearest police station.

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How does the Attorney General of NYS define stalking?

AlexLMX

Here is the definition, from Stalking Realities and Responses, NYS (pdf):

The persistent and unwanted pursuit of an individual by another that would cause a reasonable person to fear. It is an intentional and unpredictable course of conduct that can be annoying, intrusive, intimidating, threatening and harmful.

What if the person is also giving you gifts? Is that stalking?

BlakeDavidTaylor

Do those gifts make you feel uncomfortable, make your skin crawl or just in general skeeve you out? Then that is stalking. There are more ways that a person can stalk you too:

knowing your schedule and showing up when you are there.
tracking you with a gps or any other type of device
stealing your belongings

These are just a few of the hundreds of ways a person could stalk you. Just remember, if you don't feel safe, then you probably aren't. Get to a police department asap.

Here is a look at some of the "Most Wanted Criminals" in New York State. Do you recognize any of them? Would you know what to do if you came across one of them?

15 Of New York State's Most Wanted Criminals- August 2022

Below are individuals wanted by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision's (DOCCS) Office of Special Investigations who have been designated as its Most Wanted Fugitives. They should be considered armed and dangerous. This list is current as of 08/01/2022:

NEVER attempt to apprehend a fugitive yourself. If you have information on the location of any of these fugitives, you can contact OSI 24 hours a day / 7 days a week to report it. All leads and tips are treated as confidential information.

If an immediate response is necessary, such as you see the wanted person at a location, please call “911” and report it to the police.

11 of New York's Most Wanted Criminals with Upstate Connections

Below are individuals with ties to the Capital Region and Upstate New York. They have been designated as some of New York's Most Wanted Fugitives and should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.

22 'Most Wanted' in New York

Authorities across New York State, including the FBI, have identified these people as its "Most Wanted Fugitives." Officials ask for help in finding them but warn they should be considered "armed and dangerous."

Source: How Does New York State Legally Define What Stalking Is?

Filed Under: legal issues, New York State Police, NYS Attorney General, stalking

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