Expert: Philip Sweeting - 12/10/2005

Question
Unforchantly I am facing some problems. I have an aggressive roomate who has been trying to through underage drinking parties. I had told him I would not allow him to and have faced repercussions because of it. This has started 6 months ago. I am facing continual harrassment from this individual, including physical threats. He has started pushing and shoving me down in two instances. I try not to react because it would just breed problems. Unforchantly he works in the office of the place I wILL BE MOVING INTO AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. He said " You better watch out because I am your leasing agent now and I will evict you." In addition these behaviiors follow me to school. He attends Johnson and wales with me and is in my class. I am trying to be christian about this but am to a point where I can't take anymore and I believe he will attack me. I need to know my rights and what I can do to protect myself. He has always been like this and I need to make sure that other individuals will not have t go throuh the full extents that I have too. Thank you for your time and response.
             -Josh

Answer
Unfortunately it would seem you are in a difficult situation with little you can do at this point. You can report it to the police, but from what you have told me  there is not much they can/will do at this point.

If he has pushed you, it is a battery/crime. The police would take a report, but not much will come of it and it might just make the situation worse. There is something called a restraining order which is a court order telling him to stay away from you, but it is unlikely a judge would issue the order based on what has happened so far.

When you do move, if he is your landlord, he can't just evict you but he might have access to your apartment. Legally, landlords can't just enter your apartment whenever they want, but it seems your friend is not concerned with what is legal.

If nothing else, at this point I would keep a list of everything he has done in case you do decide to report it to the police in the future. You might also consider talking to the owners of the building you are moving to and let them know your concerns (again that might make it worse),consider moveing to another place or do nothing for now/ignore him and hope it will stop when you move.

These situations are like a balancing act and there is no simple solution. If you do nothing will it stop? If you report it to the police will it get worse? It all depends on what kind of person you are dealing with. There is one certainty, as long as you have contact with him there is potential for a problem.

In the meantime you might want to find out what you can about him. In several states you can now check someone's criminal record on line. You would go to your state police web page to find out if you can where you live. You can also check court records on line.

Hope this helps.