What happens when you get charged with harassment in NY?

Most charges of aggravated harassment are class A misdemeanors under New York Penal Law §240.30, which means that a conviction could result in up to one year in jail. However, allegations involving religious or racial intimidation may be upgraded to class E felonies under New York Penal Law §240.31.

Can you press charges on someone for harassment?

You can report harassment to the police. They can charge someone with criminal harassment if: the person has harassed you more than once. the harassment made you feel distressed or alarmed.

Is verbal harassment a crime in NY?

In the simplest of terms, harassment is committing actions with the intent to harass, threaten, seriously annoy or alarm another person. Depending on the severity of the alleged action, it can be a violation-level offense, a misdemeanor, or even a felony.

Is harassment a violation in NY?

You can commit Second Degree Harassment in ways that you would think were far from criminal or illegal. According to NY PL 240.26, you are guilty this offense if you have the intent to harass, annoy or alarm some person and you: Strike them in some manner or make physical contact with them (or attempt to do so); or.

How do I prove harassment in NY?

A person is guilty of harassment in the first degree when he or she intentionally and repeatedly harasses another person by following such person in or about a public place or places or by engaging in a course of conduct or by repeatedly committing acts which places such person in reasonable fear of physical injury.

What constitutes as harassment?

What is harassment? Harassment refers to a person acting in a manner that causes the complainant to fear harm. Harm refers to any mental, psychological, physical or economic harm. A complainant may become ill, both mentally and physically, due to the harassment.

What happens when you report harassment to the police?

In cases of serious harassment, the police will visit your harasser and may then give them a verbal warning, issue a formal Harassment Notice or arrest and ask them to attend a police station for a formal police interview.

What happens when you get charged with harassment?

Harassment can also include the violation of a restraining order or stalking. These charges are usually misdemeanor level offenses, which means that they can result in jail time of one to two years. Depending on the type of harassment, a rehabilitative program may be required.

Is there a law against harassment?

The law states that harassment is when a person behaves in a way which is intended to cause you distress or alarm. The behaviour must happen on more than one occasion. It can be the same type of behaviour or different types of behaviour on each occasion.

What is harassment in New York?

New York Harassment Laws Overview. First degree harassment occurs when a person intentionally and repeatedly harasses another person they: follow them in public; or. engage in conduct that places the person in reasonable fear of injury.

What is legally considered harassment?

“harassment” means directly or indirectly engaging in conduct that the respondent knows or ought to know— (a) causes harm or inspires the reasonable belief that harm may be caused to the complainant or a related person by unreasonably—(i) following, watching, pursuing or accosting of the complainant or a related person …

What are the harassment charges in New York State?

Since the harassment charges in New York state are based on the classification of harassing actions, they differ in severity. Charges for harassment under the New York Penal Law can include jail time, fines or both.

What is first degree harassment in New York?

engage in conduct that places the person in reasonable fear of injury. First degree harassment is a class B misdemeanor. Second degree harassment occurs when, with the intention to harass, annoy, or alarm a person they:

What is second-degree harassment in New York?

Second-degree harassment is classified as a violation under NY Penal Law. This type of harassment is based on discrimination against people of different color, race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Offenses treated as aggravated harassment in the first degree include:

How long can you go to jail for harassment?

In the more severe forms of harassment, when a victim has reason to be apprehensive, perpetrators could do hard time, some as long as four years if the crime includes things like bias or repeat offenses. Many harassment cases, of course, fall far short of that severity.