Stalking is a very serious offense under Florida law, as well it should be. From a victim’s perspective, stalking is one of the more scary crimes that can be committed against them. Stalking not only involves an invasion of privacy, but it also incites a great deal of fear in the victim, and more often than not results in grave harm or danger to the victim. Because of this, stalking is a criminal offense in all 50 states; however, in Florida, stalking can be charged as a misdemeanor as well, which will be explained in more detail later on. No matter the degree of stalking committed, however, the perpetrator can expect to spend up to at least one full year in jail for the crime. What is Considered “Stalking”? Stalking is generally considered to be a pattern of following, watching, or monitoring another person with the sole intent to harass, frighten, intimidate, threaten, or cause emotional duress. The act of stalking is varied in nature, and can include the following: Following someone, both on a one-time and on a routine basis; Driving past or randomly showing up at someone’s residence, place of work, or school; Monitoring a person’s computer, cell phone, or social networking activity (otherwise known as cyberstalking); Monitoring a person’s whereabouts via a secretly implanted GPS device on their vehicle or person; Sending unwanted letters, gifts, or emails; Creating unwanted contact via phone calls and text messages; Secretly videotaping or photographing someone; Gathering information about a person without their permission via public records, internet searches, private investigators, or by contacting the person’s friends, family members, and acquaintances; Threatening to harm the victim’s friends, family members, or pets, or even the victim themselves; and Performing damage to the person’s home, vehicle, or other property. So, When is Stalking Considered a Misdemeanor, and when is It Considered a Felony? Under Florida law, a person who repeatedly, willfully, and maliciously follows or harasses another person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. However, should the stalker repeatedly, willfully, and maliciously follow or harass another individual, and make a credible threat towards that person with the intent to cause fear of death or bodily harm, the offender will be charged with a third degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, and a $5,000 fine, or no less than five years, and no more than 10 for a habitual felony offender.

While most married couples choose where to reside, the U.S. military decides where active service members live and for how long. Relocating, often repeatedly, and lengthy deployments place a lot of stress on Florida military families and marriages. Laws applicable to military divorces differ from non-military divorces, whether a service member is stationed stateside or overseas. In some ways, military spouses have more divorce issues than other couples. Jurisdictional options open when divorcing service members have been stationed or married somewhere other than their states of origin. You don’t have to divorce in the state where you were married, but you must divorce in a state where residency requirements have been satisfied. Federal laws are incorporated in military divorces which are granted by states under civilian laws. States have different requirements for how long a person must live there before being considered an official resident. Some states have no time limits to establish residency — in Florida, at least one spouse must live in or be stationed in the state a minimum of six months before a divorce petition can be filed. A half year residency may seem like an easily attainable goal, unless your address has been bounced around by the U.S. military. There may be several states where you can file, but divorce laws vary widely. Spouses also must consider how individual states view separation, grounds for divorce, division of military benefits, child custody, support and alimony. A complete legal assessment should factor in any added time and costs of taking legal action in another state. Keep in mind, if you do file for divorce in a state other than the one in which you now live, you may need to retain another lawyer, specifically licensed to practice family law in that state. Among other services, a civilian attorney can advise military personnel or their spouses about jurisdictional rules for divorce.