Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania
harassment by communication
I was recently told by a corporal over the phone that i would get charges filed against me if i contacted this person again. Are there any papers i need to see before being charged? and couldn't i claim something against the corporal as like a threat?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: harassment by communication
Various types of crimes exist where a person can be charged for saying something to someone over the phone. For example terroristic threats, retaliation, and harrassment. However, many more exist.
There are other crimes that exist where a person is served with paper in advance to leave someone alone but that usually stems from a domestic violence situation. However, even with domestic cases, the first paragraph can still apply.
While you could be charged in either event, that doesn't mean that you will be convicted.
Further, it doesn't sound like the corporal did anything but help you, let alone threaten you. Even if you didn't care for the corporal's tone, or even if he was mean to you, he was telling you that if you call this person again he would arrest you.
Good Luck. Feel free to email or call. Brian.
Re: harassment by communication
I agree with the other answer. If he's a Corporal he's a state trooper and probably does not want to deal with a nuisance type of case. He is doing you a favor. I've been involved in similar situations in the past with clients who are contacting ex-girlfriends or spouses and you can get in a lot of unnecessary trouble by doing that especially if there is an existing PFA.