{"id":372441,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:51","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/delaware-law\/delaware-stalking-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-07-10T12:58:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T17:58:00","slug":"delaware-stalking-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/delaware-law\/delaware-stalking-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Delaware Stalking Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Delaware Stalking Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Delaware<\/span> stalking laws<\/span> criminalize repetitive patterns of unwanted, harassing, or threatening behavior that cause another person to fear for their safety. Under Delaware<\/span> law<\/span>, stalking requires at least three separate incidents and is typically charged as a Class G felony<\/span>. Penalties including up to two years in prison. More serious cases involving weapons, violations of protective orders<\/span>, or physical injury can result in enhanced felony charges with longer sentences.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

All 50 states have stalking laws<\/span>. These laws punish perpetrators of stalking quite severely in some cases. There are also state laws<\/span> that help stalking victims obtain protective orders<\/span><\/a> against their stalkers. Some stalking cases involve domestic violence<\/span>, while others involve perfect strangers.<\/p>\n

Here, we will discuss Delaware<\/span>‘s stalking laws<\/span>, including the penalties and defenses to the crime. We will also briefly discuss crimes related to stalking, such as harassment<\/a>, violation of privacy, and cruelty to animals.<\/p>\n

If you’re facing stalking charges and aren’t sure what to do next, contact a Delaware<\/span> criminal defense attorney<\/a> right away.<\/p>\n

How Does Delaware<\/span> Law<\/span> Define the Crime of Stalking<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

Delaware<\/span> law<\/span> recognizes the crime of stalking<\/span> as an offense against public health, order, and decency. You can find the statutory definition of stalking in Section 1312 of the Delaware<\/span> Code<\/span> of Criminal Procedure<\/span><\/a>. According to this statute, stalking refers to a clear, repetitive pattern of intentional unwanted, harassing, or threatening behavior directed toward another person that causes fear of personal safety or the safety of immediate family members<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Specifically, the Delaware<\/span> Code<\/span> states the following:<\/p>\n

A person is guilty of stalking when the person:<\/p>\n