It has never been easier to connect with and find people. We have email, texting and location apps on our phones, social media profiles where we share personal details, online games and dozens of other ways to get in contact with people.
While these resources may be convenient or entertaining, they can also lead to issues with unwanted contact and other forms of harassment. Unfortunately, people don’t always realize that what they are doing could be harassment and grounds for criminal charges in Colorado.
Online harassment
People say and do things online that they may not do or say in real life. They might also feel like they can’t be identified if they use fake names. However, law enforcement agencies devote considerable resources to investigating cybercrime, including the following harassing behaviors.
- Repeatedly sending unsolicited, obscene pictures
- Sending someone threatening texts, emails or instant messages
- Accessing a person’s digital accounts and changing passwords or sending information without his or her consent
- Impersonating someone else in an effort to contact someone or use his or her persona
- Sharing intimate details or images of someone without his or her consent
Real-world harassment
Harassment doesn’t have to be through sophisticated or digital means to be grounds for serious criminal charges. The following types of harassment have been unlawful for decades and continue to be so.
- Repeatedly calling someone in an effort to annoy him or her
- Using obscene language or taunts to provoke a disorderly or violent response
- Making verbal or physical threats
- Engaging in unwanted touching or other types of physical contact
- Following a person without his or her knowledge or consent with the intention of alarming, harassing or annoying that person
What to do if you are facing harassment charges
If you are facing charges for harassment, it is important that you understand your legal options, including your right to defend yourself against the allegations. Some situations stem from a simple misunderstanding, others could involve wrongful accusations. Whatever the case may be, it can be wise to consult an attorney to discuss the details of your case and how you can address them.