When Do You Need a Stalking Lawyer?
If you have been charged with or accused of any form of stalking, it is essential to consult with a lawyer for stalking. Examples of things that may be considered stalking include:
- Monitoring someone else’s activities or movements
- This can be done physically or electronically
- Sending unwanted communications
- This may include multiple unwanted:
- Emails
- Letters
- Text messages
- Phone calls
- Instant messages
- This may include multiple unwanted:
- Harassments
- Threats
- Following an individual to or from their:
- Home
- Workplace
- Church
- School
- Destroying another individual’s personal property or vandalism
For your conduct to reach the level of stalking, it has to be such that a reasonable person would be put in fear and the actual victim was put in fear. It is important for you to be aware that there are certain things that may be considered aggravating circumstances, which can increases your sentence, such as:
- Use of a deadly weapon during the stalking
- If the stalking is a hate crime
- Prior convictions
- Stalking that involves sexual offenses against a minor
If you are convicted of stalking, it may affect more than your freedom and criminal record. If the stalking charge involves sexual conduct, you may have to register as a sex offender.
It is important for you to have a lawyer who can help you present a defense against any stalking charges. Common examples of defense strategies include:
- Showing that the individual was not placed in fear and that you did not intend to place them in fear
- Showing that you were exercising your legal rights under the First Amendment
- Showing that it was actually someone else who was engaging in the stalking behavior and not you
- For example, if you can show that someone hacked into your email account and used it to stalk the victim using your name or account.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Stalking Lawyer in Canada?
The cost of hiring a stalking lawyer in your area can vary depending on many things, including:
- The complexity of your case
- Your lawyer’s experience and reputation in the area
- The location where your lawyer practices
- The billing arrangement your lawyer is using, such as:
- Hourly rate
- Flat fee
- Contingency fee
- Retainer fee
If your lawyer is charging you an hourly fee, it commonly ranges between CA$200 to CA$500 or more.
What to Look for in a Stalking Lawyer?
There are certain things that you will want to look for when you are seeking a stalking attorney to help you with your case. It is important that you find a lawyer with whom you are comfortable working and sharing information with.
There are some questions you may want to ask an attorney you are considering to determine if they fit your needs, such as:
- If they offer a free initial consultation
- What fee structure they use
- If they have ever handled a similar case
- If so, were the outcomes of those cases successful for their clients
- How long is the case expected to take to resolve
- How often the attorney updates their clients on their cases
- What methods does the attorney use to stay in touch with clients
- Whether the details discussed in the meeting will be covered by the attorney-client privilege
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With a Stalking Lawyer?
There are things an individual should do to prepare for their consultation with their stalking lawyer to ensure that their lawyer can adequately prepare and present the best defense on their behalf. It is essential to gather certain documents before the meeting and bring it with them, such as:
- Documents that pertain to their current criminal case case
- Documents that relate to any prior criminal cases
- Evidence that supports dropping the case, such as:
- Recordings
- Images
- Videos
- Text messages
- A list of eyewitnesses as well as character witnesses including their contact information
- Any other documents that could help the defendant clear the charges against them
You should also make a list of any questions you may have for your lawyer. For example, you may want to ask questions about their services, their success rate, and their fee arrangement.
It may also be helpful to ask about possible reductions in charges, alternative punishment programs, and the possible penalties you may face if you are convicted.
Where to Find Stalking Lawyers in Canada?
LegalMatch is a matching service that can help you find a stalking lawyer near you quickly, conveniently, and for free. You may have attempted an online search for, “stalking lawyers near me” or “stalking attorneys near me,” without finding any helpful results.
By using LegalMatch, you will receive information about stalking attorneys in your area in a few simple steps, including:
- Submitting your issue: You can submit your case in around 15 minutes on the website.
- Getting matched: You get stalking lawyer matches in about 24 hours.
- Choosing a lawyer: When you receive lawyer matches, each will have information about the lawyer’s:
- Background
- Education
- Client reviews
- Fee arrangements
Unlike your general online search, the information you get from LegalMatch can help you find a licensed, pre-screened, and top-rated stalking attorney near you, whether you are in a large city, such as Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver or in a small town.
