Article 240 of the New York Penal Law covers the crime of harassment in Albany.
Harassment in the first degree is described as intentionally and repeatedly following a person around a public place or places for the purpose of harassing, annoying, or alarming another person. It can also apply if the conduct places the person in fear of physical injury. One common example of harassment is where an estranged husband or boyfriend repeatedly goes to his ex-wife’s place of employment despite her insistence that he not.
Albany Harassment in the First Degree (PL 240.25)
A person is guilty of harassment in the first degree when he or she intentionally and repeatedly harasses another person by following such person in or about a public place or places or by engaging in a course of conduct or by repeatedly committing acts which places such person in reasonable fear of physical injury.
Harassment in the first degree is a Class B Misdemeanor and carries a possible sentence of 90 days in jail.
Albany Harassment in the Second Degree (PL 240.26)
A person is guilty of harassment in the second degree when, with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm another person:
- He or she strikes, shoves, kicks or otherwise subjects such other person to physical contact, or attempts or threatens to do the same; or
- He or she follows a person in or about a public place or places; or
- He or she engages in a course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts which alarm or seriously annoy such other person and which serve no legitimate purpose.
Harassment in the second degree is a violation and carries a potential sentence of up to 15 days in jail.
