Know the Laws: Missouri
A civil order that provides protection against a stalker who does not have to be related to you.
back to topWhat is the definition of stalking in Missouri?
Stalking is when an adult purposely and repeatedly engages in an unwanted course of conduct that causes you alarm. If it is reasonable for a person in your situation to have been alarmed by the stalker's actions, that meets the requirement. This means the judge must not think about whether s/he finds the conduct alarming, but whether it is reasonable that you do.
Stalking must be a pattern of behavior -- in other words, the actions must happen more than once for it to qualify as stalking.
For the exact wording of the law, see Section 455.010. --Definitions on our MO Legal Statutes page.
back to topWhat is an order of protection?
An order of protection (due to stalking) is a court order that is designed to stop the respondent from stalking you and to protect you and your family from the stalker. You can file for an order of protection against anyone who is stalking you, no matter what that your relationship is to that person. You do not have to be in a relationship or related to the stalker.*
For information on the steps you need to take when filing for an order of protection due to stalking, go to What are the steps when getting an Order of Protection? Although that section focuses on domestic violence, much of the information is the same for stalking.
* Mo. Rev. Stat. § 455.020(1)