WHAT IS DISTRICT COURT? M.G.L.C. 209A DOMESTIC ABUSE LAW
WHAT IS FAMILY & PROBATE COURT? STALKING LAW
WHO IS A FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBER? RESTRAINING ORDERS
THE ROLE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE VICTIM WITNESS SERVICE BUREAU
WHAT TO DO IF THE COURT IS CLOSED OTHER LEGAL UPDATES
 


(click logo to go to legislation)

STALKING LAW

Stalking is a criminal offense, the victim can go to the district court to file a criminal complaint on stalking and/or harassment charges against the stalker.

The statute of Stalking Law M.G.L.c. 265, sec. 43

  1. Whoever willfully and maliciously engages in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person which seriously alarms or annoys that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress, and who makes a threat with the intent to place the person in imminent fear of death or serious bodily injury;
  2. Whoever commits the crime of stalking in violation of a temporary or permanent vacate, restraining, or no-contact order;
  3. Whoever, after having been convicted of the crime of stalking, commits a second or subsequent such crime;
  4. For the purpose of this law, "Harasses" means a knowing and willful pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of time directed at a specific person, which seriously alarms or annoys the person. Said conduct must be such as would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress.