RSA 633:3-a Stalking

• Library: New Hampshire Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through 2023 Legislative Session
• Year: 2023
• Citation: RSA 633:3-a

I.A person commits the offense of stalking if such person:

(a) Purposely, knowingly, or recklessly engages in a course of conduct targeted at a specific person which would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her personal safety or the safety of a member of that person's immediate family, and the person is actually placed in such fear;

(b) Purposely or knowingly engages in a course of conduct targeted at a specific individual, which the actor knows will place that individual in fear for his or her personal safety or the safety of a member of that individual's immediate family; or

(c) After being served with, or otherwise provided notice of, a protective order pursuant to RSA 173-B, RSA458:16, or paragraph III-a of this section, or an order pursuant to RSA597:2 that prohibits contact with a specific individual, purposely, knowingly, or recklessly engages in a single act of conduct that both violates the provisions of the order and is listed in paragraph II(a).

II.As used in this section:

(a) "Course of conduct'' means 2 or more acts over a period of time, however short, which evidences a continuity of purpose. A course of conduct shall not include constitutionally protected activity, nor shall it include conduct that was necessary to accomplish a legitimate purpose independent of making contact with the targeted person. A course of conduct may include, but not be limited to, any of the following acts or a combination thereof:

(1) Threatening the safety of the targeted person or an immediate family member.

(2) Following, approaching, or confronting that person, or a member of that person's immediate family.

(3) Appearing in close proximity to, or entering the person's residence, place of employment, school, or other place where the person can be found, or the residence, place of employment or school of a member of that person's immediate family.

(4) Causing damage to the person's residence or property or that of a member of the person's immediate family.

(5) Placing an object on the person's property, either directly or through a third person, or that of an immediate family member.

(6) Causing injury to that person's pet, or to a pet belonging to a member of that person's immediate family.

(7) Any act of communication, as defined in RSA 644:4, II.

(b) "Immediate family'' means father, mother, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, spouse, or grandparent of the targeted person, any person residing in the household of the targeted person, or any person involved in an intimate relationship with the targeted person.