Re: Neighbor harassment

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On 12/30/06, Scott Montgomery wrote:
> Harassment is a crime. If proven, depending on the severity and
> frequency of the conduct and the harasser's prior criminal
> record, harassment can be punishable as either a gross
> misdemeanor or a felony. Harassment can mean many things. It
can
> refer to the actions of a person (or group) who is repeatedly
> sending you threatening letters, calling you on the phone, or
> repeatedly sending you unwanted gifts. It can also involve
> behavior such as following you, watching you, and coming to
your
> place of work or home. This behavior is commonly referred to as
> "stalking". Harassment can also include intentionally exposing
> you to materials which the harasser knows, or has reason to
> know, are culturally offensive or intimidating to you.
>
> It is not necessary that the harasser intend for the conduct to
> produce feelings of fear or intimidation in the victim, only
> that the harasser has reason to know that the conduct would
> cause such feelings.
>
> The law now reflects the understanding that, regardless of the
> motivation for the conduct, it disrupts the victim's life and
> may threaten the victim's safety.
>
> Harassment is extremely frustrating to deal with, and can be
> difficult to prove in court. However, if there is sufficient
> evidence, you can get a restraining order and the offender can
> be charged with a crime, either for violating the order or for
> the harassment itself.
>
> The law which allows you to get a restraining order defines
> harassment as "repeated, intrusive or unwanted acts, words or
> gestures that are intended to adversely affect the safety,
> security or privacy of another, regardless of the relationship
> between the actor and the intended target." (M.S. § 609.749,
> Subd. I). This type of harassment also includes the picketing
of
> your home by a group. The procedure for getting a restraining
> order is explained in Legal Remedies.
>
> Criminal harassment is defined as "engag(ing) in intentional
> conduct which the actor [harasser] knows or has reason to know
> would cause the victim, under the circumstances, to feel
> frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated;
> and causes this reaction on the part of the victim. (M.S. §
> 609.749, Subd. I). Such conduct can include following or
> pursuing you, returning to your property without your consent,
> making repeated phone calls, inducing you to make calls,
causing
> your phone to repeatedly ring, repeatedly mailing or delivering
> unwanted letters, objects, or gifts to you.