Criminal Defense

Stalking Punishment Act Defense Lawyer

Stalking Punishment Act Defense Lawyer | Contesting the elements and responding to restrictions already imposed

Summary

The Act on Punishment of Stalking Crimes (스토킹처벌법) criminalizes repeated or continuous conduct that causes anxiety or fear by approaching, following, or contacting a specific person against their will (스토킹처벌법 제2조). Whether a given act qualifies as "stalking conduct" and whether it was "repeated" are frequently contested legal questions, not obvious facts. Once a report is filed, police or courts can impose provisional measures (경찰 긴급응급조치, 법원 잠정조치) restricting contact, approach, or even detaining the accused before any conviction, so how you respond in the first 48-72 hours matters.

Criminal · Stalking Related law: Act on Punishment of Stalking Crimes Accused-side defense

Stalking Punishment Act Defense | What Legally Counts as 'Stalking Conduct'

Not every unwanted message or repeated encounter automatically qualifies as a stalking crime. The statute defines specific categories of conduct, and each element can be challenged depending on the facts.

Art. 2(1)(a)

Approaching, following, or blocking the path
This covers physically approaching, waiting near, or blocking the movement of the other person near their home, workplace, school, or other frequented places. Whether the location was genuinely tied to the victim's routine, and whether contact was coincidental or deliberate, is often disputed.

Art. 2(1)(b)

Watching or waiting near a location
Loitering near a residence, dormitory, workplace, or vehicle can qualify even without direct contact. Defense often focuses on whether the accused had an independent, legitimate reason to be present in that location.

Art. 2(1)(c)

Sending messages, calls, or objects
Repeated phone calls, texts, social media messages, or sending unwanted letters/gifts through mail, information networks, or third parties can fall under this category (스토킹처벌법 제2조 제1호). A single message following a breakup, for example, is often argued not to meet the 'repeated' threshold on its own.

Art. 2(1)(d)

Leaving objects or waste, or damaging property
Placing items at the person's door, leaving notes, or damaging belongings near their residence is a separate category. Ownership disputes over shared property (e.g., ex-partners) frequently complicate this element.

Art. 2(2)

'Stalking crime' requires repetition or continuity
A single stalking act is not itself the 'stalking crime' punished under Article 18; the conduct must be repeated or continuous against the same person (스토킹처벌법 제2조 제2호, 제18조). This is usually the most contested element in accused-side cases: how many incidents, over what time span, and whether they form a continuous pattern rather than isolated events.

Consent and 'against the victim's will'

The statute requires the conduct to be against the other person's explicit or implied will. Prior relationship history, mixed signals, or continued contact initiated by the other party can be relevant to this element, though courts weigh this carefully and inconsistent contact history alone rarely negates a finding of stalking.

Stalking Punishment Act Defense | Provisional and Emergency Measures Before Any Trial

One of the most distinctive features of stalking cases is that restrictions can be imposed on the accused very early, based only on a report and preliminary review, before any finding of guilt.

Emergency measures by police (긴급응급조치)

If police determine there is an urgent risk of repeat stalking, they can immediately order the accused to stay at least 100 meters away from the victim or to cease electronic contact, without prior court approval (스토킹처벌법 제4조). This can be issued on the same day as a report, often based only on the victim's statement.

Provisional measures by court (잠정조치)

At the prosecutor's request, a court can order stronger provisional measures, including a written warning, no-contact orders, or, in serious cases, detention at a detention facility for up to one month (스토킹처벌법 제9조). These require a court decision but move on a compressed timeline compared to a normal criminal trial.

Objecting to a measure already issued

An accused person subject to a provisional measure can file an objection (이의신청) or request modification/revocation through the issuing court or agency. Building a written record of compliance and preparing a factual rebuttal early is often more effective than waiting for the main criminal proceeding to address the underlying facts.

Violating a measure is itself a separate crime

Breaching an emergency or provisional measure carries its own penalty, separate from the underlying stalking allegation (스토킹처벌법 제20조). Even incidental or accidental contact during a no-contact period can trigger a new charge, so understanding the exact scope of the order matters as much as contesting the original allegation.

Stalking Punishment Act Defense | Contesting Whether the Conduct Meets the Statutory Definition

In most accused-side cases, the real dispute is not whether contact happened, but whether that contact legally qualifies as stalking under the Act's specific definitions.

Was there a legitimate reason for contact?

Contact for a genuine, ongoing purpose (dividing shared property, co-parenting arrangements, workplace matters, returning belongings) can be distinguished from conduct aimed at causing anxiety or fear. Documenting the practical necessity of each contact is central to this argument.

Did the conduct reach the 'repeated or continuous' threshold?

A single incident, or isolated incidents separated by long gaps with no pattern, may not satisfy the repetition element required for the crime under Article 18, even if individual conduct might fit a category listed in Article 2(1). Timeline reconstruction — dates, locations, and the gap between incidents — is often the single most important piece of evidence in these cases.

Was it truly 'against the other person's will'?

If the other party previously invited contact, responded to messages, or maintained a relationship where boundaries were unclear or inconsistently communicated, this can be relevant to whether the conduct was against their will. However, once a clear rejection has been communicated, continued contact is difficult to defend regardless of prior history.

Did the conduct actually cause anxiety or fear?

The statute requires the conduct to cause anxiety or fear (불안감 또는 공포심) in the other person, which is assessed based on both subjective impact and objective circumstances. Evidence about the nature of the relationship and how the other party responded at the time can be relevant to this element.

⚠ Provisional measure deadlines run on their own clock

An objection to an emergency or provisional measure must generally be filed promptly through the proper channel, and detention-type provisional measures have their own statutory duration limits and extension procedures. Missing the window to object does not resolve the underlying criminal case, but it can mean living under restrictions for longer than necessary.

Stalking Punishment Act Defense | From Report to Resolution

Initial report and possible emergency measure
Once a stalking report is filed, police may interview the accused and can issue an emergency measure (100m no-contact, no electronic contact) within days, sometimes before formal questioning even occurs.

Police investigation and provisional measure request
Police investigate the alleged incidents and refer the case to the prosecutor, who may separately request a court-ordered provisional measure if risk factors are present. This stage is where an early written response or objection can matter.

Prosecutorial decision
The prosecutor decides whether to indict, offer a summary indictment, or dispose of the case without indictment. Whether the elements of Article 2 are met, and any voluntary compliance with prior measures, are typically weighed at this stage.

Trial or negotiated resolution
If indicted, the case proceeds to trial where the specific elements of the offense (repetition, unwanted contact, resulting anxiety) are contested. Settlement discussions or evidence about the actual relationship history are often introduced here.

Post-decision consequences
A conviction can carry a criminal record and, depending on severity, may affect eligibility for certain employment or licenses. If measures remain in place, compliance monitoring can continue even after the criminal case concludes.

Stalking Punishment Act Defense | How Fees Are Typically Structured

Retainer fee
Calculated based on case stage (pre-indictment review vs. post-indictment trial defense), complexity of the factual dispute over the elements, and whether a provisional measure objection must be filed urgently alongside the main case.

Success-linked fee
May apply depending on case outcome (non-indictment, reduced charge, acquittal, or measure revocation), structured as a separate agreement from the retainer and discussed only after reviewing the specific facts.

Urgent motion fee
Objecting to an emergency or provisional measure often requires drafting and filing within a short window, which can be billed separately from the main case retainer given the compressed timeline involved.

Disbursements
Covers court filing fees, document certification costs, and expenses for obtaining call/message records or CCTV footage relevant to reconstructing the timeline of contact.

※ Costs vary depending on case complexity and specific circumstances; exact fees will be provided during consultation. No specific outcome is guaranteed.

Stalking Punishment Act Defense | Self-Check Before Your First Meeting with Counsel

1️⃣ If You Just Received a Report Notice

Have you received a summons or phone call from police, and do you know the exact date of the alleged incidents?
Do you have a record (texts, call logs, messenger history) of every contact you had with the other person?
Is there a legitimate reason (shared property, custody, workplace) that explains why you contacted them?
Have you avoided any further contact with the other person since being notified of the report?

2️⃣ If an Emergency or Provisional Measure Has Been Issued

Do you know the exact scope of the order — distance restriction, no electronic contact, or detention?
Have you kept written proof of your compliance (e.g., call logs showing no outgoing calls) since the order was issued?
Do you understand the deadline for filing an objection to the measure?
Has any contact occurred, even accidental, since the order took effect?

3️⃣ Building the Timeline for Your Defense

Can you list every alleged contact incident by date, and the actual gap in days between each one?
For each incident, do you have an independent explanation unrelated to causing anxiety or fear?
Did the other party ever initiate contact or respond positively after an alleged incident?
Do you have any witnesses who can describe the actual nature of your relationship with the other person?

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I only contacted them once after we broke up. Is that stalking?

A. A single incident alone generally does not satisfy the 'repeated or continuous' element required for the stalking crime under Article 18, though the underlying conduct could still fall under other provisions depending on severity (스토킹처벌법 제2조, 제18조). Whether prior contact history or a pattern exists is what investigators typically look at next.

Q. Can police restrict me from contacting someone before I'm even charged with a crime?

A. Yes. Police can issue an emergency measure such as a 100-meter no-contact order or a ban on electronic contact based on a report alone, without a prior conviction or even a formal indictment (스토킹처벌법 제4조). This is a preventive measure, not a punishment, but violating it creates a new, separate offense (스토킹처벌법 제20조).

Q. What happens if I accidentally run into the other person while a no-contact order is active?

A. Even unintentional contact during an active measure can be investigated as a violation, so documenting the circumstances (time, location, witnesses) immediately is important. Whether the contact was truly incidental versus deliberate is a factual question that affects how the violation allegation is assessed.

Q. Can I be detained just for a stalking accusation before trial?

A. A court-ordered provisional measure can include detention at a detention facility for up to one month if the court finds a strong risk of repeated stalking or evidence destruction (스토킹처벌법 제9조). This requires a court decision, and it can be contested through an objection procedure.

Q. The other person kept responding to my messages — does that mean it wasn't stalking?

A. Mutual or continued contact can be relevant to whether the conduct was against the other person's will, but courts examine the full pattern rather than isolated responses. Once a clear rejection is communicated, continuing contact afterward is difficult to justify by pointing to earlier responses.

Q. Is workplace contact treated differently since I can't avoid seeing them?

A. Shared workplaces do not exempt conduct from the statute, but the necessity and manner of contact (e.g., limited to required tasks, in front of others, through official channels) can be relevant to whether it was aimed at causing anxiety or fear. Keeping contact strictly work-related and documented is generally advisable while a report is pending.

Q. What's the difference between an emergency measure and a provisional measure?

A. An emergency measure (긴급응급조치) is issued directly by police without prior court approval when urgent risk is found, while a provisional measure (잠정조치) requires a court decision after a prosecutor's request and can include stronger restrictions such as detention (스토킹처벌법 제4조, 제9조). Both can be challenged, but the objection procedure differs.

Q. Can the victim withdraw the report and end the case?

A. Stalking crimes under Article 18 are prosecutable regardless of the victim's wishes in many circumstances, so a withdrawal or the victim's expressed forgiveness does not automatically end the case, though it can be considered favorably at sentencing or in the prosecutor's charging decision. This differs from certain other offenses that require a victim's complaint to proceed.

Q. How long do provisional measures typically last?

A. Non-detention provisional measures (written warning, no-contact) can be extended by court decision if risk factors persist, while detention-type measures are capped at one month per order under Article 9, with possible extension procedures. The exact duration depends on what the specific order states.

Q. Should I respond to the police interview request immediately?

A. How and when to respond, and what to say, can materially affect how the elements of the offense are assessed, so reviewing the specific allegations and your contact records with counsel before the interview is generally advisable. Statements made early in the investigation are difficult to walk back later.

Official References

개인정보처리방침

법무법인 프런티어(이하 “사무소”)는 개인정보보호법에 따라 정보주체의 개인정보 및 권익을 보호하고 개인정보와 관련된 정보주체의 고충을 신속하고 원활하게 처리하기 위하여 본 개인정보 처리방침을 수립·공개합니다.

제 1 조 수집하는 개인정보의 항목, 목적, 방법
제 2 조 개인정보의 처리 및 보유기간
제 3 조 개인정보의 제3자 제공
제 4 조 개인정보 처리업무의 위탁
제 5 조 정보주체의 권리·의무 및 그 행사방법
제 6 조 개인정보의 파기
제 7 조 의견수렴 및 불만처리
제 8 조 개인정보 처리방침의 변경
제 9 조 개인정보의 안전성 확보 조치

제 1 조 (수집하는 개인정보의 항목, 목적, 방법)
① 게시판 글 작성 시 필수 항목에 대한 수집목적은 ‘별도의 구체적 상담을 위하여’이며 수집항목은 ‘이름, 이메일, 연락처’입니다.
② 전항 외에 고객의 서비스 이용 과정이나 요청 사항 처리 과정에서 ‘IP주소, 접속로그, 단말기 및 환경정보, 서비스 이용기록, 쿠키’와 같은 정보들이 자동으로 수집 및 저장될 수 있으며, 이 때의 수집목적은 ‘사용자 홈페이지 이용, 사이트 이용에 대한 문의 민원 등 고객 고충 처리’입니다.
③ 사무소는 ‘홈페이지 고객 문의/고충 처리 시 전화 또는 인터넷을 통한 상담’과 같은 방법으로 개인정보를 수집합니다

제 2 조 (개인정보의 처리 및 보유기간)
관계법령의 규정에 따라 개인정보를 보존하여야 하는 의무가 있는 경우가 아닌 한, 정보주체의 개인정보는 원칙적으로 해당 개인정보의 처리목적이 달성될 때까지 보유 및 이용되며, 그 목적이 달성되면 지체 없이 파기됩니다.

제 3 조 (개인정보의 제3자 제공)
사무소는 정보주체의 개인정보를 본 처리방침에서 명시한 목적에 한해서만 처리하며 정보주체의 사전동의가 있는 경우 또는 개인정보보호법 등 관계법령의 규정에 의거한 경우에만 개인정보를 제3자에게 제공합니다. 사무소는 현재 개인정보를 제3자에게 제공하지 않고 있습니다.

제 4 조 (개인정보 처리업무의 위탁)
사무소는 현재 귀하의 개인정보 보호를 위해 귀하의 개인정보를 직접 취급 관리하고 있습니다. 단, 향후 보다 전문적인 서비스를 제공하기 위하여 제3의 전문기관에 귀하의 정보를 위탁할 필요가 있다고 판단되는 경우, 귀하의 사전 동의 하에 개인정보에 대한 취급을 위탁할 수 있습니다.

제 5 조 (정보주체의 권리·의무 및 그 행사방법)
① 정보주체는 개인정보보호법 등 관계법령이 정하는 바에 따라 사무소에 대해 개인정보의 열람, 정정 및 삭제, 처리정지 요구 등 개인정보 보호 관련 권리를 행사할 수 있습니다.
② 제1항에 따른 권리행사는 정보주체의 법정대리인이나 위임을 받은 사람을 통해서도 할 수 있습니다. 다만, 이 경우에는 개인정보보호법 시행규칙에 따른 위임장을 사무소에 제출하여야 합니다.
③ 사무소는 정보주체의 권리행사에 대하여 개인정보보호법 등 관계법령이 정하는 바에 따라 지체 없이 조치하겠습니다.

제 6 조 (개인정보의 파기)
① 사무소는 원칙적으로 개인정보의 처리목적이 달성된 경우 등 그 개인정보가 불필요하게 되었을 때에는 지체 없이 해당 개인정보를 파기합니다.
② 사무소가 관계법령의 규정에 따라 개인정보를 파기하지 아니하고 보존하여야 하는 경우에는 해당 개인정보 또는 개인정보파일을 다른 개인정보와 분리해서 저장·관리 합니다.
③ 사무소는 파기사유가 발생한 개인정보를 선정하여 개인정보 보호책임자의 승인을 받아 해당 개인정보를 파기합니다.
④ 사무소는 파기하여야 할 개인정보가 전자적 파일 형태인 경우 복원이 불가능한 방법으로 영구 삭제하며, 이외의 기록물, 인쇄물, 서면, 그 밖의 기록매체인 경우 파쇄 또는 소각합니다.

제 7 조 (의견수렴 및 불만처리)
정보주체는 개인정보 보호 관련 문의, 불만처리, 피해구제 등에 관한 사항을 아래 개인정보 보호책임자 또는 담당부서에 문의하실 수 있습니다. 사무소는 정보주체의 문의에 대하여 신속하고 충분한 답변을 드릴 것입니다.

개인정보 보호 책임자 : 변호사
연락처 : 02.

제 8 조 (개인정보 처리방침의 변경)
사무소의 개인정보 처리방침은 관련 법령, 지침 및 사무소 내부규정에 따라 변경될 수 있으며, 개인정보 처리방침이 변경되는 경우 관련 법령이 정하는 방법에 따라 공개합니다.

제 9 조 (개인정보의 안전성 확보 조치)
사무소는 개인정보의 안전성 확보를 위해 다음과 같은 조치를 취하고 있습니다.
관리적 조치 : 내부관리계획의 수립 및 시행, 구성원에 대한 정기적인 개인정보 보호교육 등
기술적 조치 : 개인정보처리시스템 등의 접근권한 관리, 접근통제시스템 설치, 고유식별정보 등의 암호화, 보안프로그램의 설치 등
물리적 조치 : 전산실, 자료보관실 등 개인정보 보관장소에 대한 접근통제