WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Legal Information: New York

Statutes: New York

View all
Updated: 
May 22, 2023

Sec. 120.45. Stalking in the fourth degree

A person is guilty of stalking in the fourth degree when he or she intentionally, and for no legitimate purpose, engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person, and knows or reasonably should know that such conduct:

1. is likely to cause reasonable fear of material harm to the physical health, safety or property of such person, a member of such person’s immediate family or a third party with whom such person is acquainted; or

2. causes material harm to the mental or emotional health of such person, where such conduct consists of following, telephoning or initiating communication or contact with such person, a member of such person’s immediate family or a third party with whom such person is acquainted, and the actor was previously clearly informed to cease that conduct; or

3. is likely to cause such person to reasonably fear that his or her employment, business or career is threatened, where such conduct consists of appearing, telephoning or initiating communication or contact at such person’s place of employment or business, and the actor was previously clearly informed to cease that conduct.

For the purposes of subdivision two of this section, “following” shall include the unauthorized tracking of such person’s movements or location through the use of a global positioning system or other device.

Stalking in the fourth degree is a class B misdemeanor.