This was a stalking complaint between former partners. Our client sent a text to the effect of 'let's end things well' to a person he had dated for about two years, and was then accused of violating the Stalking Punishment Act. The two had already filed complaints against each other, and because the other party had previously initiated contact, our client attempted once more to open a dialogue. The other party, however, took offense and responded with a criminal complaint, and the matter proceeded to investigation and trial.

Our client was deeply shocked at the reality of facing trial over a single text message. From the outset, I emphasized that the contact was a one-off and carried no evident intent to threaten or cause anxiety. The message expressed a polite wish to bring things to a close rather than lingering emotional attachment, and neither the frequency nor the timing of the contact met the 'persistence' requirement. I proved the other party's history of initiating contact, the non-aggressive nature of the message, and the one-off character of the conduct, and the court, considering all of these circumstances, acquitted the defendant. The risk of a wrongful accusation can strike anyone at any time. I will always fight to the end for those who have been wronged.