Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Ex's girlfriend harassment

My ex's girlfriend speaks to me to be seen then goes & tells others she's scared of me and multiple lies about me. She has contacted my/our school Vice President of Students, my Pastor, asked local business I was at to ''protect'' her when she spoke to me first and I've NEVER threatened her. I filed anti-harassment order and the judge threw it out after temp b/c I wasn't ''scared'' of her. Told her to ''stop, although not illegal, is stupid''. This is WA state, March. She continues to contact people and lie about me and things that she makes up as to happening, with her being the victim each time. I have asked her and my ex to just keep her away from me and she won't. Recently she interrupted my talking to my child and started yelling at me @ public pool. I told her to stay away from me and the kids when they are with me. She says she will intentionally talk to the kids when they are with me b/c she can do whatever she wants and talk to them whenever she wants! Then she had her Mom go and ''talk'' to my fiance's Mom - again lies and a smear campaign. WA law doesn't say harassment has to mean I'm scared! How do I legally make this stop?! My ex & I were friends until she forbade it.


Asked on 7/01/09, 12:38 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Ex's girlfriend harassment

I am not sure from your statement who all the players in this story are. The statement is generally confusing. I will provide you with the criteria for an anti-harassment protection order as set in RCW 10.14.030:

In determining whether the course of conduct serves any legitimate or lawful purpose, the court should consider whether:

(1) Any current contact between the parties was initiated by the respondent only or was initiated by both parties;

(2) The respondent has been given clear notice that all further contact with the petitioner is unwanted;

(3) The respondent's course of conduct appears designed to alarm, annoy, or harass the petitioner;

(4) The respondent is acting pursuant to any statutory authority, including but not limited to acts which are reasonably necessary to:

(a) Protect property or liberty interests;

(b) Enforce the law; or

(c) Meet specific statutory duties or requirements;

(5) The respondent's course of conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the petitioner's privacy or the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive living environment for the petitioner;

(6) Contact by the respondent with the petitioner or the petitioner's family has been limited in any manner by any previous court order.

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Answered on 7/01/09, 7:55 pm


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