arizona

§ 13-2923. Stalking; classification; definitions

A. A person commits stalking if the person intentionally or knowingly engages in a course of conduct that is directed toward another person and if that conduct causes the victim to:

1. Suffer emotional distress or reasonably fear that either:

(a) The victim’s property will be damaged or destroyed.

(b) Any of the following will be physically injured:

(i) The victim.

(ii) The victim’s family member, domestic animal or livestock.

(iii) A person with whom the victim has or has previously had a romantic or sexual relationship.

(iv) A person who regularly resides in the victim’s household or has resided in the victim’s household within the six months before the last conduct occurred.

2. Reasonably fear death or the death of any of the following:

(a) The victim’s family member, domestic animal or livestock.

(b) A person with whom the victim has or has previously had a romantic or sexual relationship.

(c) A person who regularly resides in the victim’s household or has resided in the victim’s household within the six months before the last conduct occurred.

B. This section does not apply to an interactive computer service, as defined in 47 United States Code section 230(f)(2), or to an information service or telecommunications service, as defined in 47 United States Code section 153, for content that is provided by another person.

C. Stalking under subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section is a class 5 felony. Stalking under subsection A, paragraph 2 of this section is a class 3 felony.

D. For the purposes of this section:

1. “Course of conduct”:

(a) Means directly or indirectly, in person or through one or more third persons or by any other means, to do any of the following:

(i) Maintain visual or physical proximity to a specific person or direct verbal, written or other threats, whether express or implied, to a specific person on two or more occasions over a period of time, however short.

(ii) Use any electronic, digital or global positioning system device to surveil a specific person or a specific person’s internet or wireless activity continuously for twelve hours or more or on two or more occasions over a period of time, however short, without authorization.

(iii) Communicate, or cause to be communicated, on more than one occasion words, images or language by or through the use of electronic mail or an electronic communication that is directed at a specific person without authorization and without a legitimate purpose.

(b) Does not include constitutionally protected activity or other activity authorized by law, the other person, the other person’s authorized representative or if the other person is a minor, the minor’s parent or guardian.2. “Emotional distress” means significant mental suffering or distress that may, but does not have to, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.

§ 13-2916. Use of an electronic communication to terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass; unlawful use of electronic communication device; applicability; classification; definitions

A. It is unlawful for A person to knowingly terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass a specific person or persons by doing any of the following:

1. Directing any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggesting any lewd or lascivious act to the person in an electronic communication.

2. Threatening to inflict physical harm on any person or to property in any electronic communication.

3. Otherwise disturbing by repeated anonymous, unwanted or unsolicited electronic communications the peace, quiet or right of privacy of the person at the place where the communications were received.

4. Without the person’s consent and for the purpose of imminently causing the person unwanted physical contact, injury or harassment by a third party, use an electronic communication device to electronically distribute, publish, email, hyperlink or make available for downloading the person’s personal identifying information, including a digital image of the person, and the use does in fact incite or produce that unwanted physical contact, injury or harassment. This paragraph also applies to a person who intends to terrify, intimidate, threaten or harass an immediate family member of the person whose personal identifying information is used.

B. Any offense committed by use of an electronic communication in violation of this section is deemed to have been committed at either the place where the communications originated or at the place where the communications were received.

C. This section does not apply to:

1. Constitutionally protected speech or activity or to any other activity authorized by law.

2. An interactive computer service, as defined in 47 United States Code § 230(f)(2), or to an information service or telecommunications service, as defined in 47 United States Code § 153, for content that is provided by another person.

D. A person who violates this section is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.

E. For the purposes of this section:

1. “Electronic communication” means a social media post, a wire line, cable, wireless or cellular telephone call, a text message, an instant message or electronic mail.

2. “Electronic communication device” includes a telephone, mobile telephone, computer, internet website, internet telephone, hybrid cellular, internet or wireless device, personal digital assistant, video recorder, fax machine or pager.

3. “Harassment” means a knowing and wilful course of conduct that is directed at a specific person, that a reasonable person would consider as seriously alarming, seriously disruptive, seriously tormenting or seriously terrorizing the person and that serves no legitimate purpose.

4. “Personal identifying information”:

(a) Means information that would allow the identified person to be located, contacted or harassed.

(b) Includes the person’s home address, work address, phone number, email address or other contact information that would allow the identified person to be located, contacted or harassed.

5. “Social media post” means a social media communication that is knowingly intended to communicate to a specific person or persons in violation of subsection a of this section.

Suggested Citation:

Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (INSERT YEAR OF LAW YOU ARE CITING HERE). Cyberstalking Laws - Arizona. Cyberbullying Research Center. (Retrieved October 5, 2024). https://cyberbullying.org/cyberstalking-laws/arizona