Domestic Violence

questions & answers

Question: Can I press charges against someone who continually verbally abuses me through text message. Blocking is not an option since that person is a co-parent to a child.

Answer: Arizona law defines harassment (ARS § 13-2921): “A. A person commits harassment if, with intent to harass or with knowledge that the person is harassing another person, the person: 1. Anonymously or otherwise contacts, communicates or causes a communication with another person by verbal, electronic, mechanical, telegraphic, telephonic or written means in a manner that harasses. 2. Continues to follow another person in or about a public place for no legitimate purpose after being asked to desist. 3. Repeatedly commits an act or acts that harass another person. 4. Surveils or causes another person to surveil a person for no legitimate purpose. 5. On more than one occasion makes a false report to a law enforcement, credit or social service agency. 6. Interferes with the delivery of any public or regulated utility to a person.” If you think you are being harassed, contact your local law enforcement agency to explore what options you might have to stop the harassment.