Stalking and Harassment Attorneys in Waukesha County, Wisconsin

New Berlin Criminal Defense Lawyers for Stalking and Cyberstalking Charges

If you have been charged with stalking, cyberstalking, or harassment in Wisconsin, you need an attorney who is not afraid to stand up and fight for you. Stalking is a serious crime that is prosecuted aggressively across the state, and a conviction could lead to a lengthy prison sentence and hefty fines. The good news is that you do not need to face stalking or harassment charges alone.

At the law firm of Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP in Waukesha, our attorneys realize that in many stalking cases, the alleged stalker is automatically presumed to be guilty just because he or she was accused. That is not how our court system is supposed to work, and we are committed to ensuring that your rights and best interests are fully protected. We will work hard to help you avoid a conviction and minimize the effect on your future.

Understanding Stalking and Harassment Charges

While the terms "stalking" and "harassment" are often used together, they represent distinct offenses under Wisconsin law. Both offenses are serious, but the penalties for stalking are generally more severe than those for harassment.

State Statute 947.013 provides that a person commits harassment when he or she intends to harass or intimidate another individual and:

• Hits, pushes, kicks, or makes other physical contact or attempts or threatens to make contact with the other individual; or
• Engages in a pattern of behavior or repeated acts that harass or intimidate the other individual while serving no legitimate purpose.

Basic harassment is punishable by a fine up to $1,000. Harassment becomes a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to nine months in jail and $10,000 in fines if the harassment includes a credible threat that places the other individual in reasonable fear of great bodily harm or death. It is also a Class A misdemeanor if the harassment violates any type of restraining order or no-contact order. Felony charges are possible for repeat violations.

By comparison, stalking is defined by State Statute 940.32 as engaging in a course of conduct that causes another individual to suffer serious emotional distress or to fear death or bodily injury to himself or herself, a family member, or a household member. In order to qualify as stalking, the person committing the acts must be doing so with the intent of causing distress. Stalking starts as a Class I felony, punishable by up to 3 ½ years in prison and $10,000 in fines. More serious charges and harsher penalties could be possible based on the circumstances of the case.

When stalking or harassing behavior occurs over the internet, similar charges for online harassment and cyberstalking may be filed as well.

Building an Aggressive Defense to Stalking Charges in Delafield

Attorneys Ronald Sonderhouse and Peter Wolff are accomplished criminal defense lawyers with more than 40 years of combined experience and a long history of success in a wide range of criminal cases, including stalking and harassment. We know that in order to secure a conviction, prosecutors will need to prove that you acted with the intent to harass or cause fear and that you clearly knew your actions were not welcome. With this in mind, we might be able to show that you never intended to induce fear or to cause anyone distress. Depending on the situation, we could also show that the alleged victim actually made repeated contact with you during the events in question. Our lawyers understand that the right defense for your case will depend on the specific circumstances.

Speak With a Qualified Attorney Today

For more information about defending against stalking and harassment charges in Wisconsin, contact our office. Call 262-232-6699 for a free consultation today. Our firm represents defendants in Waukesha, Muskego, New Berlin, Brookfield, Oconomowoc, Menomonee Falls, Pewaukee, Delafield, Milwaukee, Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, and the neighboring communities.