Criminal Defense | Harassment
Harassment - 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2709 | Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyer
A person commits the crime of harassment when, with intent to harass, annoy or alarm another, the person: (1) strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects the other person to physical contact, or attempts or threatens to do the same; (2) follows the other person in or about a public place or places; (3) engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which serve no legitimate purpose; (4) communicates to or about such other person any lewd, lascivious, threatening or obscene words, language, drawings or caricatures; (5) communicates repeatedly in an anonymous manner; (6) communicates repeatedly at extremely inconvenient hours; or (7) communicates repeatedly in a manner other than specified in paragraphs (4), (5) and (6). An offense of harassment may be deemed to have been committed at either the place at which the communication or communications were made or at the place where the communication or communications were received.
Acts indicating a course of conduct which occur in more than one jurisdiction may be used by any other jurisdiction in which an act occurred as evidence of a continuing pattern of conduct or a course of conduct.
The offense of harassment under sections (1), (2) or (3) above will be deemed a summary offense. An offense of harassment under sections (4), (5), (6) or (7) shall constitute a misdemeanor of the third degree.
The term “communicates” means to conveys a message without intent of legitimate communication or address by oral, nonverbal, written or electronic means, including telephone, electronic mail, Internet, facsimile, telex, wireless communication or similar transmission.
The term "course of conduct” means a pattern of actions composed of more than one act over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of conduct. Acts indicating a course of conduct which occur in more than one jurisdiction may be used by any other jurisdiction in which an act occurred as evidence of a continuing pattern of conduct or a course of conduct.
Anyone charged with the crime of harassment under 18 Pa.C.S.A § 2709, should contact an experienced Pennsylvania criminal defense lawyer. The Martin Law Firm, located in Blue Bell, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania represents individuals in criminal matters including harassment. To learn more about your rights, contact The Martin Law Firm today at 215-646-3980.