Harrassment Citation

[HighwayMan]

How do you know you were cited if you didn't receive a citation?

Maybe it was just a scare tactic, regardless of the sergeant's phone call.

 

[Eric7100]

What did the sergeant say to you?

I am being cited for harassment. Every time I appear to be watching her, or have my tablet outside with me, I will be cited again.

 

[adjusterjack]

The sergeant called me on the phone.

Seriously? Is that it? He didn't come to your house?

I don't think that rises to the level of a "citation."

But I do think the phone call rises to the level of BS.

Of course, it's entirely up to you if you want to cave in to the BS and end your enjoyment of your front yard.

 

[quincy]

I am being cited for harassment. Every time I appear to be watching her, or have my tablet outside with me, I will be cited again.

It sounds like the sergeant is trying to resolve your neighbor issue by taking a sensible approach rather than a legal one. If you stay inside, there will be no conflict. End of problem.

That said, there is no legal reason that I can see why you should be prohibited from sitting on your porch with a tablet, if sitting on your porch with a tablet is all that you are doing.

I suggest you wait to receive an actual citation and, if you are actually cited for harassment, you can contact an attorney at that time. In the meantime, if you know you are annoying your neighbor by sitting on your porch with a tablet (whether your neighbor has a legitimate complaint or not), you might want to confine your tablet use to inside your residence (and hope your neighbor moves).

A consultation with a local attorney is an option you can consider.

 

[FlyingRon]

The good news is that harassment cites are almost always summary offenses in Pennsylvania. Cases are heard from the local magistrates who can be anything from kindly old men to complete bastards but you've not got much to lose by protesting it (technically they could give you 30 days, but it typically runs $100 fine and somewhat less than that again in court costs).

Yes, once you get the cite, talk to an attorney. Note that I believe you have to pay a "bail": equal to the court costs to get the trial scheduled (you have 30 days to do this or just pay the thing and admit guilt).

 

[Just Blue]

I am being cited for harassment. Every time I appear to be watching her, or have my tablet outside with me, I will be cited again.

Did you actually call the police department and confirm that there was a SGT by that name working there and he did, in fact, call you?

 

[quincy]

Did you actually call the police department and confirm that there was a SGT by that name working there and he did, in fact, call you?

Good question. A phone call of the sort received seems a bit odd.

 

[adjusterjack]

Good question. A phone call of the sort received seems a bit odd.

Yeah, could be the neighbor's friend or relative pulling a fast one.

 

[xylene]

Yeah, could be the neighbor's friend or relative pulling a fast one.

In some ways I might take that level of escalation EVEN more seriously. Crazy people do crazy things.

 

[quincy]

In some ways I might take that level of escalation EVEN more seriously. Crazy people do crazy things.

Calling the department should clear it up.

 

[xylene]

Calling the department should clear it up.

It would clear up the problem of any pending charges... it would solidify having a neighbor willing to impersonate the police.
A different but dangerous problem.

 

[Eric7100]

Seriously? Is that it? He didn't come to your house?

I don't think that rises to the level of a "citation."

But I do think the phone call rises to the level of BS.

Of course, it's entirely up to you if you want to cave in to the BS and end your enjoyment of your front yard.

He was at my house in the past. Or perhaps it was a different officer. But yes, this sergeant does exist, and he did call me on the phone (not come over) this time. And he was very serious about this citation and any future citations.

 

[cbg]

Yes or no. Did you, or did you not, call the police department and confirm that there has actually been a citation issued and the sergeant is not talking out of his hat?

 

[Eric7100]

The good news is that harassment cites are almost always summary offenses in Pennsylvania. Cases are heard from the local magistrates who can be anything from kindly old men to complete bastards but you've not got much to lose by protesting it (technically they could give you 30 days, but it typically runs $100 fine and somewhat less than that again in court costs).

Yes, once you get the cite, talk to an attorney. Note that I believe you have to pay a "bail": equal to the court costs to get the trial scheduled (you have 30 days to do this or just pay the thing and admit guilt).

You guys don't understand. My career is over. I have a job that requires a 100% clean criminal record at all times. Even charges that have been dropped or dismissed will count against me. Even with the smallest fine and no jail time, my life (as I knew it before) is ruined. I'm one of those rare people who refuses to ever do any other kind of work, so this will be the cause of my "retirement" at the age of 43. I also have no extra money stashed away. I am 100% sure that I will become homeless and impoverished for the rest of my life.

 

[cbg]

Answer my question, please.