Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Pennsylvania
Harrassing Correspondence
My question is this... I was in a relationship with a man for 2-1/2 years. I recently tried to contact him to put some resolution to the relationship as a part of counseling I have sought. I wrote him a very friendly letter stating my feelings on the matter and asked if we talk about it. No threats were made, nothing was said in meaness or was threatening in any way. I received a certified letter from him stating that he is filing criminal charges against me for harrassment. Can he do this? What have I done wrong? Isn't he the one who is threatening ME?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Harrassing Correspondence
You did nothing wrong if you stated all the facts
accurately and he did not tell you previously to
not contact him. Even if he did tell you he did
not want to see or talk to you, the letter is not
a criminal communication. I cannot believe that
the local prosecutor or police would permit charges
to be brought against you. Usually a police officer
will contact the communicating party and put them
on notice that the other person does not want any
contact. That sets up a charge if someone is compulsive
about contact. In this case your former friend has
made it clear he does not want to talk to you. Just
leave it at that and don't worry about his threat.
Good luck.
Re: Harrassing Correspondence
From the test of your inquiry, it does not sound as if he has any basis to file a criminal or civil complaint against you of any kind. Should he do so, you should immediately consult an attorney. I would not write him any more letters.