Source: http://victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center/help-for-victims/state-information/vermont
Timestamp: 2017-12-17 09:56:05
Document Index: 519203681

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 5131', '§ 2602', '§ 3252', '§ 3253', '§ 2822', '§ 2823', '§ 1101']

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Website: https://www.sec.state.vt.us/safe-at-home.aspx
Address: Safe at Home, P.O. Box 1568, Montpelier, Vermont 05601
Phone: (808) 828-0586 or (800) 439-8683
Email: safeathome@sec.state.vt.us
§ 5131 Orders Against Stalking or Sexual Assault
(1) "Course of conduct" means a pattern of conduct composed of two or more acts over a period of time, however short, evidencing a continuity of purpose. Constitutionally protected activity is not included within the meaning of "course of conduct."
(2) "Following" means maintaining over a period of time a visual or physical proximity to another person in such manner as would cause a reasonable person to have fear of unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful restraint, bodily injury, or death.
(3) "Lying in wait" means hiding or being concealed for the purpose of attacking or harming another person.
(4) "Nonphysical contact" includes telephone calls, mail, e-mail or other electronic communication, fax, and written notes.
(5) "Sexually assaulted the plaintiff" means that the defendant engaged in conduct that meets elements of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2602, sexual assault as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 3252, aggravated sexual assault as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 3253, use of a child in a sexual performance as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2822, or consenting to a sexual performance as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 2823 and that the plaintiff was the victim of the offense.
(6) "Stalk" means to engage in a course of conduct which consists of following or lying in wait for a person, or threatening behavior directed at a specific person or a member of the person's family, and
(7) "Stay away" means to refrain from knowingly:
(8) "Threatening behavior" means acts which would cause a reasonable person to fear unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful restraint, bodily injury, or death, including verbal threats, written, telephonic, or other electronically communicated threats, vandalism, or physical contact without consent.
(b) Any court in this State that issues a notice against a stalking or sexual assault order under this chapter shall transmit a copy of the order to the Department of Public Safety's protection order database.
(a) Law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce orders issued under this chapter. A foreign abuse prevention order as defined in15 V.S.A. § 1101 shall be accorded full faith and credit throughout this state and shall be enforced as if it were an order of this State. Law enforcement officers may rely upon a copy of any order issued under this chapter or any foreign abuse prevention order. Enforcement may include, but is not limited to, making an arrest in accordance with the provisions of Rule 3 of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure.
(b) In addition to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, violation of an order issued under this chapter may be prosecuted as a criminal contempt under Rule 42 of Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure. The prosecution for criminal contempt may be initiated by the State's Attorney in the Criminal or Civil Division of the Superior Court in the unit or county in which the violation occurred. The maximum penalty which may be imposed under this subsection shall be a fine of $ 1,000.00 or imprisonment for six months, or both. A sentence of imprisonment upon conviction for criminal contempt may be stayed in the discretion of the court, pending the expiration of the time allowed for filing notice of appeal or pending appeal if any appeal is taken. After two years have passed from conviction under this subsection, the court may on motion of the defendant expunge the record of the criminal proceeding and conviction unless the defendant has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or a violation of a protection order after such initial adjudication.
(1) "Stalk" means to engage in a course of conduct which consists of following, lying in wait for, or harassing, and:
(B) would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her physical safety or would cause a reasonable person substantial emotional distress.
(2) "Following" means maintaining over a period of time a visual or physical proximity to another person in such manner as would cause a reasonable person to have a fear of unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful restraint, bodily injury, or death.
(3) "Harassing" means actions directed at a specific person, or a member of the person's family, which would cause a reasonable person to fear unlawful sexual conduct, unlawful restraint, bodily injury, or death, including but not limited to verbal threats, written, telephonic, or other electronically communicated threats, vandalism, or physical contact without consent.
(4) "Lying in wait" means hiding or being concealed for the purpose of attacking or harming another person.