S.B. 235

1

CLARIFICATION OF STALKING INJUNCTIONS AND
2 PROTECTIVE ORDERS
3 2012 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Todd Weiler
6 House Sponsor: ____________
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill allows a court with a petition for a stalking injunction to take into
11 consideration any minor children the parties may have.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . allows a court to consider the defendant's parental rights when issuing a stalking
15 injunction;
16 . specifically expands who can apply for a stalking injunction to include cohabitants;
17 and
18 . makes technical corrections.
19 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 76-5-106.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 356
26 77-3a-101, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 3
27

28 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 Section 1. Section 76-5-106.5 is amended to read:
30 76-5-106.5. Stalking -- Definitions -- Injunction -- Penalties.
31 (1) As used in this section:
32 (a) "Conviction" means:
33 (i) a verdict or conviction;
34 (ii) a plea of guilty or guilty and mentally ill;
35 (iii) a plea of no contest; or
36 (iv) the acceptance by the court of a plea in abeyance.
37 (b) "Course of conduct" means two or more acts directed at or toward a specific
38 person, including:
39 (i) acts in which the actor follows, monitors, observes, photographs, surveils, threatens,
40 or communicates to or about a person, or interferes with a person's property:
41 (A) directly, indirectly, or through any third party; and
42 (B) by any action, method, device, or means; or
43 (ii) when the actor engages in any of the following acts or causes someone else to
44 engage in any of these acts:
45 (A) approaches or confronts a person;
46 (B) appears at the person's workplace or contacts the person's employer or coworkers;
47 (C) appears at a person's residence or contacts a person's neighbors, or enters property
48 owned, leased, or occupied by a person;
49 (D) sends material by any means to the person or for the purpose of obtaining or
50 disseminating information about or communicating with the person to a member of the person's
51 family or household, employer, coworker, friend, or associate of the person;
52 (E) places an object on or delivers an object to property owned, leased, or occupied by
53 a person, or to the person's place of employment with the intent that the object be delivered to
54 the person; or
55 (F) uses a computer, the Internet, text messaging, or any other electronic means to
56 commit an act that is a part of the course of conduct.
57 (c) "Immediate family" means a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or any other person who
58 regularly resides in the household or who regularly resided in the household within the prior six

59 months.
60 (d) "Emotional distress" means significant mental or psychological suffering, whether
61 or not medical or other professional treatment or counseling is required.
62 (e) "Reasonable person" means a reasonable person in the victim's circumstances.
63 (f) "Stalking" means an offense as described in Subsection (2) or (3).
64 (g) "Text messaging" means a communication in the form of electronic text or one or
65 more electronic images sent by the actor from a telephone or computer to another person's
66 telephone or computer by addressing the communication to the recipient's telephone number.
67 (2) A person is guilty of stalking who intentionally or knowingly engages in a course of
68 conduct directed at a specific person and knows or should know that the course of conduct
69 would cause a reasonable person:
70 (a) to fear for the person's own safety or the safety of a third person; or
71 (b) to suffer other emotional distress.
72 (3) A person is guilty of stalking who intentionally or knowingly violates:
73 (a) a stalking injunction issued pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 3a, Stalking Injunctions;
74 or
75 (b) a permanent criminal stalking injunction issued pursuant to this section.
76 (4) In any prosecution under this section, it is not a defense that the actor:
77 (a) was not given actual notice that the course of conduct was unwanted; or
78 (b) did not intend to cause the victim fear or other emotional distress.
79 (5) An offense of stalking may be prosecuted under this section in any jurisdiction
80 where one or more of the acts that is part of the course of conduct was initiated or caused an
81 effect on the victim.
82 (6) Stalking is a class A misdemeanor:
83 (a) upon the offender's first violation of Subsection (2); or
84 (b) if the offender violated a stalking injunction issued pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 3a,
85 Stalking Injunctions.
86 (7) Stalking is a third degree felony if the offender:
87 (a) has been previously convicted of an offense of stalking;
88 (b) has been previously convicted in another jurisdiction of an offense that is
89 substantially similar to the offense of stalking;

90 (c) has been previously convicted of any felony offense in Utah or of any crime in
91 another jurisdiction which if committed in Utah would be a felony, in which the victim of the
92 stalking offense or a member of the victim's immediate family was also a victim of the
93 previous felony offense;
94 (d) violated a permanent criminal stalking injunction issued pursuant to Subsection (9);
95 or
96 (e) has been or is at the time of the offense a cohabitant, as defined in Section
97 78B-7-102 , of the victim.
98 (8) Stalking is a second degree felony if the offender:
99 (a) used a dangerous weapon as defined in Section 76-1-601 or used other means or
100 force likely to produce death or serious bodily injury, in the commission of the crime of
101 stalking;
102 (b) has been previously convicted two or more times of the offense of stalking;
103 (c) has been convicted two or more times in another jurisdiction or jurisdictions of
104 offenses that are substantially similar to the offense of stalking;
105 (d) has been convicted two or more times, in any combination, of offenses under
106 Subsection (7)(a), (b), or (c);
107 (e) has been previously convicted two or more times of felony offenses in Utah or of
108 crimes in another jurisdiction or jurisdictions which, if committed in Utah, would be felonies,
109 in which the victim of the stalking was also a victim of the previous felony offenses; or
110 (f) has been previously convicted of an offense under Subsection (7)(d)[,] or (e)[, or
111 (f)].
112 (9) (a) A conviction for stalking or a plea accepted by the court and held in abeyance
113 for a period of time serves as an application for a permanent criminal stalking injunction
114 limiting the contact between the defendant and the victim.
115 (b) A permanent criminal stalking injunction shall be issued by the court [without a
116 hearing unless the defendant requests a hearing] at the time of the conviction. [The court shall
117 give the defendant notice of the right to request a hearing.]
118 [(c) If the defendant requests a hearing under Subsection (9)(b), it shall be held at the
119 time of the conviction unless the victim requests otherwise, or for good cause.]
120 [(d)] (c) If the conviction was entered in a justice court, a certified copy of the

121 judgment and conviction or a certified copy of the court's order holding the plea in abeyance
122 [must] shall be filed by the victim in the district court as an application and request for a
123 hearing for a permanent criminal stalking injunction.
124 (10) A permanent criminal stalking injunction [may grant] shall be issued by the
125 district court granting the following relief:
126 (a) an order:
127 (i) restraining the defendant from entering the residence, property, school, or place of
128 employment of the victim; and
129 (ii) requiring the defendant to stay away from the victim and members of the victim's
130 immediate family or household, except as provided in Subsection (11), and to stay away from
131 any specified place that is named in the order and is frequented regularly by the victim; [and]
132 (b) an order restraining the defendant from making contact with or regarding the
133 victim, including an order forbidding the defendant from personally or through an agent
134 initiating any communication, except as provided in Subsection (11), likely to cause annoyance
135 or alarm to the victim, including personal, written, or telephone contact with or regarding the
136 victim, with the victim's employers, employees, coworkers, friends, associates, or others with
137 whom communication would be likely to cause annoyance or alarm to the victim[.]; and
138 (c) any other orders the court considers necessary to protect the victim.
139 (11) If the victim and defendant have minor children together, the court may consider
140 provisions that balance the defendant's custody and parent-time rights and the victim's safety.
141 If the court issues a permanent criminal stalking injunction, but declines to address custody and
142 parent-time issues, a copy of the stalking injunction shall be filed in any action in which
143 custody and parent-time issues are being considered and that court may modify the injunction
144 to balance the parties' custody and parent-time rights.
145 [(11) A] (12) Except as provided in Subsection (11), a permanent criminal stalking
146 injunction may be modified, dissolved, or dismissed only upon application of the victim to the
147 court which granted the injunction.
148 [(12)] (13) Notice of permanent criminal stalking injunctions issued pursuant to this
149 section shall be sent by the court to the statewide warrants network or similar system.
150 [(13)] (14) A permanent criminal stalking injunction issued pursuant to this section has
151 effect statewide.

152 [(14)] (15) (a) Violation of an injunction issued pursuant to this section constitutes a
153 third degree felony offense of stalking under Subsection (7).
154 (b) Violations may be enforced in a civil action initiated by the stalking victim, a
155 criminal action initiated by a prosecuting attorney, or both.
156 [(15)] (16) This section does not preclude the filing of a criminal information for
157 stalking based on the same act which is the basis for the violation of the stalking injunction
158 issued pursuant to Title 77, Chapter 3a, Stalking Injunctions, or a permanent criminal stalking
159 injunction.
160 Section 2. Section 77-3a-101 is amended to read:
161 77-3a-101. Civil stalking injunction -- Petition -- Ex parte injunction.
162 (1) As used in this chapter, "stalking" means the crime of stalking as defined in Section
163 76-5-106.5 . Stalking injunctions may not be obtained against law enforcement officers,
164 governmental investigators, or licensed private investigators, acting in their official capacity.
165 (2) Any person, including a cohabitant, who believes that he or she is the victim of
166 stalking may file a verified written petition for a civil stalking injunction against the alleged
167 stalker with the district court in the district in which the petitioner or respondent resides or in
168 which any of the events occurred. A minor with his or her parent or guardian may file a
169 petition on his or her own behalf, or a parent, guardian, or custodian may file a petition on the
170 minor's behalf.
171 (3) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop and adopt uniform forms for
172 petitions, ex parte civil stalking injunctions, civil stalking injunctions, service and any other
173 necessary forms in accordance with the provisions of this chapter on or before July 1, 2001.
174 The office shall provide the forms to the clerk of each district court.
175 (a) All petitions, injunctions, ex parte injunctions, and any other necessary forms shall
176 be issued in the form adopted by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
177 (b) The offices of the court clerk shall provide the forms to persons seeking to proceed
178 under this chapter.
179 (4) The petition for a civil stalking injunction shall include:
180 (a) the name of the petitioner; however, the petitioner's address shall be disclosed to the
181 court for purposes of service, but, on request of the petitioner, the address may not be listed on
182 the petition, and shall be protected and maintained in a separate document or automated

183 database, not subject to release, disclosure, or any form of public access except as ordered by
184 the court for good cause shown;
185 (b) the name and address, if known, of the respondent;
186 (c) specific events and dates of the actions constituting the alleged stalking;
187 (d) if there is a prior court order concerning the same conduct, the name of the court in
188 which the order was rendered; [and]
189 (e) if there are minor children of the petitioner and respondent, a copy of the most
190 current custody or parent-time orders; and
191 [(e)] (f) corroborating evidence of stalking, which may be in the form of a police
192 report, affidavit, record, statement, item, letter, or any other evidence which tends to prove the
193 allegation of stalking.
194 (5) (a) If the court determines that there is reason to believe that an offense of stalking
195 has occurred, an ex parte civil stalking injunction may be issued by the court that includes any
196 of the following:
197 [(a)] (i) respondent may be enjoined from committing stalking;
198 [(b)] (ii) respondent may be restrained from coming near the residence, place of
199 employment, or school of the other party or specifically designated locations or persons;
200 [(c)] (iii) respondent may be restrained from contacting, directly or indirectly, the other
201 party, including personal, written or telephone contact with the other party, the other party's
202 employers, employees, fellow workers or others with whom communication would be likely to
203 cause annoyance or alarm to the other party; or
204 [(d)] (iv) any other relief necessary or convenient for the protection of the petitioner
205 and other specifically designated persons under the circumstances.
206 (b) If the petitioner and respondent have minor children, the court may consider
207 provisions that balance the respondent's custody and parent-time rights and the victim's safety.
208 If the court issues a civil stalking injunction, but declines to address custody and parent-time
209 issues, a copy of the stalking injunction shall be filed in any action in which custody and
210 parent-time issues are being considered.
211 (6) Within 10 days of service of the ex parte civil stalking injunction, the respondent is
212 entitled to request, in writing, an evidentiary hearing on the civil stalking injunction.
213 (a) A hearing requested by the respondent shall be held within 10 days from the date

214 the request is filed with the court unless the court finds compelling reasons to continue the
215 hearing. The hearing shall then be held at the earliest possible time. The burden is on the
216 petitioner to show by a preponderance of the evidence that stalking of the petitioner by the
217 respondent has occurred.
218 (b) An ex parte civil stalking injunction issued under this section shall state on its face:
219 (i) that the respondent is entitled to a hearing, upon written request within 10 days of
220 the service of the order;
221 (ii) the name and address of the district court where the request may be filed;
222 (iii) that if the respondent fails to request a hearing within 10 days of service, the ex
223 parte civil stalking injunction is automatically modified to a civil stalking injunction without
224 further notice to the respondent and that the civil stalking injunction expires three years after
225 service of the ex parte civil stalking injunction; and
226 (iv) that if the respondent requests, in writing, a hearing after the ten-day period after
227 service, the court shall set a hearing within a reasonable time from the date requested.
228 (7) At the hearing, the court may modify, revoke, or continue the injunction. The
229 burden is on the petitioner to show by a preponderance of the evidence that stalking of the
230 petitioner by the respondent has occurred.
231 (8) The ex parte civil stalking injunction and civil stalking injunction shall include the
232 following statement: "Attention. This is an official court order. If you disobey this order, the
233 court may find you in contempt. You may also be arrested and prosecuted for the crime of
234 stalking and any other crime you may have committed in disobeying this order."
235 (9) The ex parte civil stalking injunction shall be served on the respondent within 90
236 days from the date it is signed. An ex parte civil stalking injunction is effective upon service.
237 If no hearing is requested in writing by the respondent within 10 days of service of the ex parte
238 civil stalking injunction, the ex parte civil stalking injunction automatically becomes a civil
239 stalking injunction without further notice to the respondent and expires three years from the
240 date of service of the ex parte civil stalking injunction.
241 (10) If the respondent requests a hearing after the ten-day period after service, the court
242 shall set a hearing within a reasonable time from the date requested. At the hearing, the burden
243 is on the respondent to show good cause why the civil stalking injunction should be dissolved
244 or modified.

245 (11) Within 24 hours after the affidavit or acceptance of service has been returned,
246 excluding weekends and holidays, the clerk of the court from which the ex parte civil stalking
247 injunction was issued shall enter a copy of the ex parte civil stalking injunction and proof of
248 service or acceptance of service in the statewide network for warrants or a similar system.
249 (a) The effectiveness of an ex parte civil stalking injunction or civil stalking injunction
250 shall not depend upon its entry in the statewide system and, for enforcement purposes, a
251 certified copy of an ex parte civil stalking injunction or civil stalking injunction is presumed to
252 be a valid existing order of the court for a period of three years from the date of service of the
253 ex parte civil stalking injunction on the respondent.
254 (b) Any changes or modifications of the ex parte civil stalking injunction are effective
255 upon service on the respondent. The original ex parte civil stalking injunction continues in
256 effect until service of the changed or modified civil stalking injunction on the respondent.
257 (12) Within 24 hours after the affidavit or acceptance of service has been returned,
258 excluding weekends and holidays, the clerk of the court shall enter a copy of the changed or
259 modified civil stalking injunction and proof of service or acceptance of service in the statewide
260 network for warrants or a similar system.
261 (13) The ex parte civil stalking injunction or civil stalking injunction may be dissolved
262 at any time upon application of the petitioner to the court which granted it.
263 (14) The court clerk shall provide, without charge, to the petitioner one certified copy
264 of the injunction issued by the court and one certified copy of the proof of service of the
265 injunction on the respondent. Charges may be imposed by the clerk's office for any additional
266 copies, certified or not certified in accordance with Rule 4-202.08 of the Code of Judicial
267 Administration.
268 (15) The remedies provided in this chapter for enforcement of the orders of the court
269 are in addition to any other civil and criminal remedies available. The district court shall hear
270 and decide all matters arising pursuant to this section.
271 (16) After a hearing with notice to the affected party, the court may enter an order
272 requiring any party to pay the costs of the action, including reasonable attorney fees.
273 (17) This chapter does not apply to protective orders or ex parte protective orders
274 issued pursuant to Title 78B, Chapter 7, Part 1, Cohabitant Abuse Act, or to preliminary
275 injunctions issued pursuant to an action for dissolution of marriage or legal separation.

Legislative Review Note
as of 2-21-12 8:57 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel