Stalking is often associated with mental feelings of obsession, but in the eyes of the law the definition is a little different.
Florida Statute Chapter 784 defines stalking as: “A person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows, harasses, or cyberstalks another person…”
For example, a person might be charged with stalking if they continually and maliciously track a former romantic partner or friend’s whereabouts, or if they are caught stalking them extensively online (cyberstalking).
You may also stand accused of aggravated stalking if there is an element of a threat of violence. The same statute referenced above defines aggravated stalking as: “A person who willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follows, harasses, or cyberstalks another person and makes a credible threat to that person commits the offense of aggravated stalking…”
This is usually seen as the more extreme form of stalking, where someone might, for example, send threatening messages to their victim online or commit an act of violence against them. Further, if the person being stalked is under 16 years old, it also becomes aggravated stalking.