What Is Aggravated Stalking in California?

The State of California takes “stalking” behavior very seriously. In fact, a conviction for stalking in California could result in a lengthy prison sentence and a felony record, particularly if you are convicted of aggravated stalking in California. If you have been accused of aggravated stalking you should have the facts of your case evaluated by an experienced California criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

In the meantime, it may help to understand what the law considers to be illegal in California. California Penal Code 646.9 is where the stalking laws can be found and states, in pertinent part, as follows:

for a free and confidential consultation

call today (619) 232-5122

“Any person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows or willfully and maliciously harasses another person and who makes a credible threat with the intent to place that person in reasonable fear for his or her safety, or the safety of his or her immediate family is guilty of the crime of stalking.”

Stalking is a “wobbler” in California, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Both your criminal history and the specific facts and circumstances of the instant case will determine how a stalking offense is charged. Some factors, however, will automatically cause stalking to be charged as a felony, including:

• Stalking that constitutes a violation of a court ordered protective order
• You have previously been convicted of the offense of stalking – even if the alleged victim is not the same as in the previous case

Stalking can be aggravated as well by several factors, including, but not limited to the following:

• Causing great bodily harm to the alleged victim
• The use or presence of a weapon during the commission of the offense

If you are convicted of aggravated stalking you could face up to five years in prison for the felony stalking charge plus an additional consecutive term of up to five years for the aggravating factor. It is important to understand that the aggravating factor adds an additional period of incarceration to your sentence.

If you have been charged with aggravated stalking in California, it is imperative that you contact an experienced California criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. For a free and confidential consultation, you can call San Diego criminal defense attorney Domenic J. Lombardo today at (619) 232-5122.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Domenic Lombardo

Domenic J. Lombardo, Attorney at Law and a member of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice (CACJ), graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), earning a B.A. in Economics-Business, before graduating with his J.D. from University of California, Hastings School of Law. Mr. Lombardo has been practicing as a criminal defense lawyer in San Diego for nearly 30 years, having started at the San Diego Office of the Public Defender in 1991 and then opened the Law Office of Domenic J. Lombardo in early 1996 as a sole practitioner. His practice is dedicated entirely to the defense of individuals accused of crimes and university misconduct, including Title IX allegations. While Mr. Lombardo works as the primary attorney for all his cases, he does have a team of investigators, forensic consultants, and paralegals to call on to help achieve the best possible result in every case. When he is not working, Mr. Lombardo is a family man, triathlete, and world traveler.

Latest posts by Domenic Lombardo (see all)

• California Laws SB-30 and SB-145 to Allow Domestic Partnership and Alter Rules for Minors - September 29, 2020
• What Is a Reasonable Bond in California? - April 27, 2020
• What to Do If You Are Accused of Rape - March 6, 2020