Telephone Harassment

In Washington, the allegation of Telephone Harassment may be either a Gross Misdemeanor or Class C Felony, depending on the specific allegations of the prosecutor. Telephone Harassment is commonly accompanied with the “Domestic Violence” label, but not always. A Telephone Harassment charge usually results in a court imposing a Pre-trial No-Contact Order before a case is resolved; if a conviction occurs, a Post-Conviction No-Contact Order is highly likely. Under RCW 9.61.230, a person is guilty of the Gross Misdemeanor version of Telephone Harassment if he or she makes a telephone call to another person with the intent to harass, intimidate, torment or embarrass that person:

• a) Using any lewd, lascivious, profane, indecent, or obscene words or language, or suggesting the commission of any lewd or lascivious act; or
• b) Anonymously or repeatedly or at an extremely inconvenient hour, whether or not conversation ensues; or
• c) Threatening to inflict injury on the person or property of the person called or any member of his or her family or household

Telephone Harassment is punishable as a Class C Felony if EITHER of the following is proven:

• a) That person has previously been convicted of any crime of harassment, as defined in RCW 9A.46.060, with the same victim or member of the victim's family or household or any person specifically named in a no-contact or no-harassment order in this or any other state; or
• b) The threat involves a threat to kill the person called or any other person

If you, or someone you care about, has been charged (or may be) with Telephone Harassment in King County, Skagit County, Snohomish County, or Whatcom County, call Ashbach Law Offices, LLC today at (360) 659-4950 for a free, no-pressure case evaluation. With a reputation in the legal community as aggressive, effective and successful criminal defense attorneys, we are here to help you through your difficult times.