Can A Stalker Be Arrested?

Yes. If someone is stalking you, call the police or go to the police station and make a report.  Doing the things listed below will convince the police to arrest a stalker and may help prove your case later at trial:

*Send a registered letter to the stalker telling him or her to stop.

*Keep a detailed journal of what your stalker says and does to you.

*Talk to the telephone company about having threatening calls traced.

*If witnesses have seen the stalker's behavior, get them to write their names and addresses. Ask them to write down what they heard or saw and give you a copy.

*Keep any threatening letters or phone messages along with the date you received them.

*Take photos of any injuries or property damage caused by your stalker.

*Take photos of your stalker stalking you if you can do so safely.

When you talk to the police, be sure that they know about the evidence you have. If the police arrest someone for stalking you, the stalker must not call, write, come see you or harass you in any way when out on bail. If your stalker contacts you anyway, call the police. He or she can be taken back to jail and held until the trial.

Stalking is often not the only crime a stalker can be arrested for. Your stalker is also breaking the law if he or she hurts, threatens or rapes you, destroys your belongings , breaks into your home, trespasses on your property or harasses you on the telephone or through the mail. If your stalker does any of these things, call the police immediately.

*The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline

(304) 965-3552

*The West Virginia Women's Commission

(304) 558-0070