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Maryland passed a revised stalking
statute, effective October 1, 2003.
Under the new law, “stalking” is defined as approaching or pursuing
another where one knows or reasonably should have known the conduct
would place another in reasonable fear of serious bodily harm, assault,
rape or sexual offense or attempted rape or sexual offense, false
imprisonment or death. Stalking is also conduct that will likely cause
another to suffer the above offenses, regardless of what the alleged
stalker knew or should have known.
Prior to the revised law, establishing the crime of stalking required
proof that the alleged stalker had the specific intent to cause harm to
another.
Violation of the stalking statute is now a felony, rather than a
misdemeanor, punishable by fine and/or imprisonment, and can be used as
grounds for a protective order or peace order.
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