“Neighborhood Watch Program” is defined as a program consisting of residents in a common geographic area who work closely with law enforcement to reduce crime/the commission of crime, improve the quality of life in the particular geographic area and solve problems.
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“Willfully” means the wrongful doing of an act without legal excuse or justification, or the commission of an act purposefully and deliberately in violation of law.
2. Examples Defendant has been in a panic because there is no hand sanitizer left at any pharmacy or grocery store in his city due to the outbreak of coronavirus in Charlotte NC. Defendant has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder and has already used the multiple bottles of hand sanitizer he bought two weeks ago. Defendant knows that the Neighborhood Watch Program has stored hand sanitizer for the elderly residents in his neighborhood. Defendant is only thirty-two and is not allowed any community sanitizer. Defendant threatens to assault his neighbor, a member of the neighborhood watch program, if he does not give him some of the sanitizer. Defendant can be charged with a criminal offense under North Carolina Criminal Law Statute 14-226.2.
Defendant has become irritated with an elderly neighborhood watch citizen who lives in the more rural part of Mecklenburg County. This individual keeps screaming at all cars that drive through the neighborhood to, “Slow down you Sunday driver or I’m reporting you to NC DMV!” Defendant slashes the individual’s tires one night and writes a note telling the elderly neighbor to stop his criminal watch activities. The elderly neighbor’s grandson is home and watches Defendant engaged in this activity. The grandson calls the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). Defendant can be charged with a criminal offense under North Carolina Criminal Law Statute 14-226.2.
3. Related Offenses For other crimes related to Harassment or Threats, please see:
- Who is the Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Charlotte?
- Top 3 Things to do if Arrested
- Lawyers who handle Communicating Threats charges in Charlotte
- Interfering with Emergency Communication
- North Carolina Criminal Law Chapter 14-277.1: Communicating Threats
4. Defenses for Harassment of a Participant in a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program The Defendant may have a viable defense under North Carolina law if he or she can prove that they did not threaten or intimidate the individual OR that the individual was not a member of a neighborhood watch program. In the latter instance, the State may possibly seek another related criminal charge of Communicating Threats.
5. Penalties for Harassment of a Participant in a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program The crime of Harassment of a Participant in a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a maximum period of incarceration of 120 days in a local or county jail.
You may also be subject to a fine of $300.
6. Criminal Defense for Harassment of a Participant in a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program If you have been charged with Harassment of a Participant in a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program, please contact our team of Charlotte criminal defense lawyers immediately. This offense is not something that should be taken lightly.
A Class 1 misdemeanor conviction can have long-term consequences, including a criminal record, if you plead guilty or are convicted after a trial. Many employers, real estate agents and financial institutions perform background checks. A conviction can seriously impede your ability to obtain a loan, rent an apartment or secure employment.
Please call 704-342-4357 today - Bill@CarolinaAttorneys.com