Will A Stalker Go To Jail?

Maybe, if he or she is found guilty in a trial.

 If your stalker is found guilty and put on probation or given a suspended sentence, he or she still must participate in some sort of counseling or treatment. When the stalker is found guilty, the judge can also order that he or she have no contact with you for up to ten years. If the stalker contacts you anyway, he or she is in contempt of court and can go to jail.

This table explains the sentences a stalker can be given:

OFFENSE	PUNISHMENT
Stalking 1st offence	Jail up to six months or fine up to $1,000 or both
Stalking 2nd offence or in violation of a protective order	Jail from 90 days to one year or fine from $2,000 to $5,000 or both
Stalking 3rd offence in five years	Jail from one to five years or fine from $3,000 to $10,000 or both.

For help and information, contact:

• The West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline (304) 965-3552

• Your local domestic violence shelter

• The police

• An attorney

• The West Virginia Women's Commission (304) 558-0070