[CO] [CO] My neighbor has been harassing me, and I want to press charges. How should I proceed?
I moved into an apartment about a year ago and have since had nonstop noise complaints. She’s been beating on the ceiling and has falsely accused me of doing drugs in my apartment.
All this is documented via email from our leasing office. Things have escalated to the point where I had to move to a different unit to get away from her.
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Here’s what you can do:
1. Contact the Police:
Report the harassment. The police will investigate, and this begins the process for possible criminal charges.
2. Consider a Restraining Order:
You can file for one at your local courthouse. You’ll fill out an application, file it, and have it served on your neighbor.
The judge will then hold a hearing and decide how long the order should last.
Bring all your evidence (emails, noise complaints, documentation from the leasing office) to the hearing.
3. Consider a Civil Harassment Claim:
You may also be able to sue for harassment by filing a complaint at your local courthouse. This could include damages for emotional distress, interference with your peaceful enjoyment, or other losses.
4. Seek Legal Support:
You can find an attorney through your local bar association, a legal aid society, or a law school clinic. These can provide free or low-cost help in harassment cases.
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Full Conversation
My neighbor has been harassing me, and I want to press charges.
Lexi, Chatbot
I’m sorry to hear about the situation with your neighbor. Have you already reported this harassment to the police?
Not yet.
Lexi, Chatbot
Can you provide more details about the specific incidents of harassment that have occurred?
I moved into an apartment about a year ago and have since had nonstop noise complaints. She’s been beating on the ceiling and has falsely accused me of doing drugs in my apartment.
All this is documented via email from our leasing office. Things have escalated to the point where I had to move to a different unit to get away from her.
Lexi, Chatbot
Is there anything else the criminal lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they’ll be able to help with harassment.
Yes.
Charlie
Hello, my name is Charlie, and I’m a licensed attorney. I’d like to welcome you to AskALawyer!
I apologize that you’re experiencing these issues, but I’ll be happy to assist you with your questions today. Please allow me a moment to review your question, and I’ll be right with you.
Which state do you live in?
Colorado.
Charlie
Understood. Do you have a lease with your landlord?
Yes.
Charlie
How long have you had the issues with your neighbor harassing you?
A year and a half.
Charlie
Do you know if the landlord talked to your neighbor or warned them about possible eviction if they didn’t stop?
They are well aware of the issue and have offered her the option to break her lease without penalty, which she declined.
She then wrote an email to the landlord, who reprimanded the leasing office employee for being rude to her. So now they’re in fear.
Charlie
Have you made a police report?
Not yet. I wanted to speak with a lawyer first.
Charlie
How much time is left on your current lease? When did you move to the new unit?
Not much — I just moved into the new unit today, but it’s in the same building as the harassing neighbor, and I do not feel comfortable being around her.
Charlie
Here’s what you can do:
1. Contact the Police:
Report the harassment. The police will investigate, and this begins the process for possible criminal charges.
2. Consider a Restraining Order:
You can file for one at your local courthouse. You’ll fill out an application, file it, and have it served on your neighbor.
The judge will then hold a hearing and decide how long the order should last.
Bring all your evidence (emails, noise complaints, documentation from the leasing office) to the hearing.
3. Consider a Civil Harassment Claim:
You may also be able to sue for harassment by filing a complaint at your local courthouse. This could include damages for emotional distress, interference with your peaceful enjoyment, or other losses.
4. Seek Legal Support:
You can find an attorney through your local bar association, a legal aid society, or a law school clinic. These can provide free or low-cost help in harassment cases.
Do I need to file a police report? I have plenty of email documentation of noise complaints and her accusing me of smoking weed in my unit.
The leasing office is absolutely fed up with this lady and would be more than happy to provide emails and noise complaints sent from her.
I’ve lost sleep over this and have felt like I was walking on eggshells in my own apartment for the last year and a half.
Charlie
Yes — a police report is needed if your goal is to press charges.
What’s the best way to go about that? Go to the police station and show them all the emails and say that she’s been harassing me?
Charlie
Yes, that’s correct — or you can call the police, and they may come to you to take the report.
Bring or share all your documentation and explain the pattern of harassment clearly.
Charlie
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