If you have had a Stalking No Contact Order taken out on you, you should be aware that the state of Illinois treats stalking as a serious offense. Despite what you may think about the weight of a stalking offense or about whether your actions constitute stalking, you need to contact a lawyer immediately. If you believe you may be at risk of having a restraining order petitioned against you and you are attempting to look up information about what that would mean, it is important to desist from all actions that could be considered stalking immediately. These include following, emailing, calling, or texting, leaving gifts, making threats of any kind, and more. The best defense against a Stalking No Contact Order is to refrain from any actions that may make someone feel threatened.
The following are the consequences of violating the terms of a Stalking No Contact Order against you.
What Charges Can Be Filed Against a Stalking No Contact Violator?
First violations of an Order of Protection are considered Class A Misdemeanors, which means that violators can be sentenced to one year in jail and be given fines of up to $2,500. Sentencing and fines will ultimately be up to the discretion of the court, and while a violator may expect to find some leniency on a first violation, they certainly will not on the second offense.
Subsequent offenses of an order of protection can be charged as Class 4 Felonies and require 24 hours in jail at each offense. Offenders can be sentenced to one to three years in jail and fined up to $25,000.
What Counts as a Violation of a Stalking No Contact Order?
In order for you to be penalized for violating an SNCO, three things must be proven.
- That the order that you are violating is legally valid
- That you had knowledge of the order
- That you violated the order intentionally
Violation of the terms of a Stalking No Contact Order can vary according to the terms of the order, but could include:
- Failing to stay away from the protected person’s workplace (even if you had worked together, you might have to quit and find new work)
- Failing to pay order child support
- Threatening a protected person
- Directly or indirectly contacting a protected person
- Appearing at the protected person’s school
As stated above, the violation conditions will depend on the terms of the order set by the judge. Willful noncompliance with any aspect of the order will be considered a violation of the order.
Contact an Experienced Lawyer Today
It is important to get professional help if you have been issued a Stalking No Contact Order Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help in your restraining order-related cases. When you need an attorney, experience matters. Contact us today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.