Harassment covers a wide range of unwanted behavior. Harassment is defined as touching or subjecting a person to physical contact with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm them. Harassment negatively impacts individuals causing them emotional distress. Harassment can also include threats that a person intends to carry out that could cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety. Often, harassment persists beyond the first incident and happens on multiple occasions. Harassment can be discrimination or abuse of various types. If you or someone you care about has been accused of harassment, reach out to a Nassau County Criminal Defense Attorney who can help you investigate the facts of the case.
What are harassment charges in New York?
Harassment is any behavior, whether physical, verbal, written, or otherwise, that is unwanted and unwelcome and may offend, or humiliate, an individual. If you are charged with harassment, depending on the violation, the charge may be civil or criminal. Criminal charges can result in a violation, misdemeanor, or felony conviction. Your harassment charge may be punishable by prison time. In New York, a harassment charge occurs when a person threatens or causes an individual to reasonably fear for their safety. There is a broad range of types of behaviors and actions that can be classified as harassment.
What are the different types of harassment charges an individual could be convicted of?
Sexual Harassment
An individual will face a sexual harassment charge if they make unwanted sexual advances or make unwelcome sexual remarks or physical advances in a workplace or other professional or social situation. This form of harassment can be either verbal or physical. Sexual harassment can include:
- Sexual or offensive remarks
- Sexual innuendos in conversation
- Sending inappropriate texts, emails, or images that are of a sexual nature
- Unwarranted physical touch
Stalking
Stalking refers to an intentional pattern of vindictive and repeated conduct that causes the victim to feel fear for their safety or their family’s safety. Stalking involves following or monitoring a person.
Menacing
Menacing, also known as brandishing, occurs when an individual knowingly and intentionally places another person in fear by physically harming or threatening them. This is considered a criminal offense and usually consists of a single act.
Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is a form of stalking but it is committed through the use of technology. When someone uses electronic communications as a means to harass someone it is considered cyberstalking. Cyberstalking can be done using:
- Text messages
- Emails
- Social media platforms
- Any other form of communication via the internet
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is another form of harassment that refers to anyone using technology to torment, harass, bully, or stalk someone. Cyberbullying can include:
- Sending threats
- Sending obscene images
- Sending or posting harmful, false, negative, or mean comments
- Repeated unwanted communications
If you are accused of harassment, reach out to one of our experienced attorneys who can help you seek justice.
Contact Our Long Island Firm
If you need experienced legal counsel for a criminal matter on Long Island or anywhere in New York State, please contact Grunwald & Seman, P.C. to schedule a consultation.
