The Department of Public Safety has made the first Washtenaw County arrest under Michigan’s new stalking laws.
A 22-year-old LS&A senior stood mute at his arraignment Feb. 18 on charges of stalking a female student at the Michigan Union. Lt. James R. Smiley said a pre-trial hearing has been set for March 9. The student was remanded to Washtenaw County Jail because he was unable to post the $300 cash bond set by Judge Timothy P. Connors.
Smiley said the student had come within five to 10 feet of the female student several times, making her feel uncomfortable. He had been warned twice by police to stay away.
Michigan’s stalking laws became effective Jan. 1. Stalking is a misdemeanor with a penalty of one year in jail and/or $1,000 fine. Stalking consists of two or more reported separate acts of unconsented contact between the stalker and the victim. The acts must be done willfully in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress and to feel terrorized, frightened, intimidated, threatened, harassed or molested.
Aggravated stalking is a felony with a penalty of up to five years in jail and/or $10,000 fine. Aggravated stalking is stalking that occurs in violation of a restraining order or a bail or probation condition; a second offense; or a stalking involving a credible threat of violence against the victim, the victim’s family or members of the victim’s household.
A person can obtain an injunctive order against a stalker and an officer may make a warrantless arrest for a violation of the injunction.
