{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-3132","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 22-3132","heading":"Definitions.","body":"For the purposes of this chapter, the term:\n\n(1)\n“Any device” means electronic, mechanical, digital or any other equipment, including: a camera, spycam, computer, spyware, microphone, audio or video recorder, global positioning system, electronic monitoring system, listening device, night-vision goggles, binoculars, telescope, or spyglass.\n\n(2)\n“Any means” includes the use of a telephone, mail, delivery service, e-mail, website, or other method of communication or any device.\n\n(3)\n“Communicating” means using oral or written language, photographs, pictures, signs, symbols, gestures, or other acts or objects that are intended to convey a message.\n\n(4)\n“Emotional distress” means significant mental suffering or distress that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling;\n\n(5)\n“Financial injury” means the monetary costs, debts, or obligations incurred as a result of the stalking by the specific individual, member of the specific individual’s household, a person whose safety is threatened by the stalking, or a person who is financially responsible for the specific individual and includes:\n(A)\nThe costs of replacing or repairing any property that was taken or damaged;\n(B)\nThe costs of clearing the specific individual’s name or his or her credit, criminal, or any other official record;\n(C)\nMedical bills;\n(D)\nRelocation expenses;\n(E)\nLost employment or wages; and\n(F)\nAttorney’s fees.\n\n(6)\n“Personal identifying information” shall have the same meaning as provided in § 22-3227.01(3).\n\n(7)\n“Specific individual” or “individual” means the victim or alleged victim of stalking.\n\n(8)\n“To engage in a course of conduct” means directly or indirectly, or through one or more third persons, in person or by any means, on 2 or more occasions, to:\n(A)\nFollow, monitor, place under surveillance, threaten, or communicate to or about another individual;\n(B)\nInterfere with, damage, take, or unlawfully enter an individual’s real or personal property or threaten or attempt to do so; or\n(C)\nUse another individual’s personal identifying information.","path":["Title 22. Criminal Offenses and Penalties.","Chapter 31A. Stalking."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-3132","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"564b1ffd226d5be3a7dd5a5ca30730ef14ee3be7fba4cf785d332e1ea32e9883","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-3131","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-3133"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}