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Criminal Law/Aggrevated Harassment

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Expert: - 9/13/2009


Question
I have been emailing my old friend a bunch trying to get him to reconcile. He has never responded to me. But last week he said If i emailed him again he would go to to the cops. I emailed him back thinking it was a bluff but he actually went to the cops and I was arressted under the charge of aggrevated harassment. Can i really go to jail for sending him too many emails? He is an old very close friend, if i asked him to drop the charges and promised to never contact him again, AT THIS POINT is it even possible for him to drop charges? I was arressted already and a court date was set. But I think he is using this as a scare tactic and Im just hoping he can drop the charges after i show him that I will never contact him again.

Answer
Manuel,

You can go to jail if you are convicted of any criminal charge.  My state has no such charge as "aggravated harassment" but there is a charge for bothering someone with too many phone calls, emails, etc which carries a jail sentence upon conviction.

If he is using the charge against you as a scare tactic he is in for a surprise since the criminal justice system is not like a water faucet where you can turn it on and off at your pleasure.  You need an attorney.  You cannot go to court and expect to defend yourself against an experienced prosecutor.

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. Only a judge could answer a question like that. I am also NOT a probation officer or parole officer so I cannot answer questions that relate to parole or probation. Also please keep in mind that every state has different laws. If you are planning to ask a question about a specific law or criminal charge that pertains to your state only it could be difficult to answer. I also cannot give you legal advice on what to do or what not to do in court. Retired police officer with 26 years experience. Worked in the patrol division as well as over 14 years in the detective bureau. Investigated a wide range of crime such as murder, rape, robbery, theft, fraud, missing persons, and other very sensitive crimes. I am available to answer your questions about criminal law and especially as it applies to police work. I taught at the police academy for several years and am especially knowledgeable about search and seizure. Any question about criminal law is welcome! Please don't ask me to do your homework or ask me questions that obviously come from your teachers or professors. I also do not do online interviews or surveys. Young people need to gain face to face interviewing skills. Local police officers usually are very agreeable to assist in these assignments.

Experience

I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience. I investigated almost every type of crime including murder, rape, theft, missing persons, fraud, and domestic abuse. I am very knowledgeable about search and seizure and taught at the police academy for several years on a variety of subjects. I can answer questions that a lot of attorneys cannot since they do not have "street experience".

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science degree in Criminolgy from the University of Maryland.

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