Stalking is defined in Penal Code Section 646.9 as "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..."

Contrary to a common belief of what constitutes stalking, repeatedly following, phone calls, unwanted gifts, flowers, etc., may not legally constitute stalking. There must be a "credible threat" present - something which demonstrates the stalker's danger to the victim. This may come in the form of threats, actual violence, or behavior that implies a threat. The stalker doesn't need to intend to actually carry out the credible threat, just that it places the intended target in fear for their safety.

If you think someone is stalking you, the most important thing to do is immediately cease all contact with the stalker.

Don't initiate any contact with the person who is stalking you. The stalker may try to contact you, but you should do everything in your power to avoid any contact with them. If contact is made for whatever reason, for example, if the stalker calls your phone, let them know in a firm manner that you do not want them to contact you anymore and that you will call the police.

It is equally important that you call law enforcement to document what has happened. If you have been sent anything by the stalker - gifts, flowers, letters - or if there are messages on voicemail, text messages, or social media pages, SAVE THEM! These may be crucial pieces of evidence in a prosecution. Alert law enforcement that you have saved these things so they may collect and preserve them.

For your safety and those around you, it is advised you inform friends, family, coworkers, or anyone else whom you deal with regularly of the situation.

The court's sentencing range for stalking is broad, from probation to prison.  Our goal is to stop the unwanted contact and offer protection to the victim. The length of sentence is often determined by the severity of the defendant’s conduct, injuries to the victim, and criminal record.  Whether the defendant is currently on probation or parole also plays a role in determining a sentence. 

Whatever the outcome of the case, a victim of stalking should be prepared for the eventuality that the stalker will someday be released from custody.  To that end, a stalking victim should develop a plan to help deal with that inevitability.  The San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office can assist with obtaining restraining orders, money for alarm system installation, or in the worst of cases, relocation.

Some stalking charges are charged as felonies, while others may be felonies or misdemeanors.  The decision of whether a stalking case will be charged as a misdemeanor or felony is for the District Attorney.  Factors which go into making that decision include the length of time of the harassing conduct, the severity of the threat, prior criminal record, injury, use of a weapon, and the presence of a restraining order.  Misdemeanor stalking is punishable up to one year in the county jail, while other types of stalking may be punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

You can request that law enforcement obtain an Emergency Protective Order (EPO) from the on-call judge when they respond to the scene and there is an immediate threat of violence. This order is effective once it has been served on the abuser and orders them not to contact you. Once a case is filed and you believe the defendant may harm you further, contact the Domestic Violence Unit at the DA's Office and request that the prosecutor ask the judge to issue a "stay away order". This order tells the defendant to stay away from you (generally 100 yards), and not to hurt, threaten, or harass you.

If the defendant does not obey the order, they will be told to appear in court again to answer to the judge who made the order. If this happens, the judge can send them to jail. At any time whether or not charges are filed, you can pursue a civil restraining order. If granted, this order usually lasts for three years and is valid regardless of whether charges are filed, and is valid no matter where you or the defendant are located. This is the most preferable type of protective order to obtain. If you need help, contact Prevail at (209) 941-2611, and District Attorney Victim/Witness Program at (209) 468-2500 or 468-2600, and they can assist in obtaining a civil restraining order. All violations of a protective order must be reported immediately to law enforcement.

You will only have to testify in court if you are either ordered by the judge to appear in court, or you receive a subpoena directing you to appear. Many cases are resolved without the victim having to testify, but not all. In some cases, a victim or other witness may even have to testify more than once. This is how the process works:

1. When a criminal complaint has been filed against your abuser, they will be ordered to go to court and enter a plea to the charges against them. This first step is called an arraignment.
   
   In the case of an arraignment on misdemeanor charges, the defendant may be able to resolve their case without any further appearances. If so, there will be no jury trial and you will not have to come to court.
   
   In the case of a felony arraignment, the matter will be first set for a preliminary hearing. The preliminary hearing is an opportunity for the court to determine if there is probable cause to permit the case to go to jury trial sometime in the near future. You may be required to testify at the preliminary hearing, and eventually at trial as well. However, the vast majority of felonies are resolved before a jury trial, and many of them resolve before the preliminary hearing, you will not have to testify at all.
2. At several stages of the proceedings including pretrial conferences and before the preliminary hearing (if a felony), the defendant will appear with their attorney. By this time, the defendant’s attorney will have had an opportunity to review all of the evidence that the prosecutor will use in court to prove the defendant has been stalking you. The prosecutor may recommend a particular sentence to the judge in exchange for a guilty plea from the defendant.
3. The defense attorney will talk to the defendant and let them know what sentence the prosecutor is recommending to the judge. A majority of defendants will plead guilty before trial. This occurs because they see all of the evidence that the prosecutor has gathered against them and how it will be used to convict them. Additionally, they understand that if the case goes to jury trial and they are found guilty, the prosecutor will recommend a harsher sentence and the judge may follow that recommendation.
4. It is important for you to know that if the defendant pleads guilty early in the proceedings (before preliminary hearing in felonies), you will not have to testify. Just because you receive a subpoena and may have to come to the courthouse

No. You do not have to hire an attorney because you are the victim of a crime.

When the defendant abused you, a criminal act that violated the laws of the State of California was committed. The prosecutor represents the People of the State of California. The People of the State of California are prosecuting your abuser for violating the law and it is ultimately the decision of the prosecutor whether or not to file charges.