The Truth About Sentencing and Punishment

Harassment cases are treated differently in all states and on the Federal level. Harassment charges are given depending on the offense that the harasser committed. Some harassment charges offer a slap on the wrist, while others offer jail time in conjunction with lost wages or other consequences.

When harassment cases are dealing with threats pertaining to a victim’s safety, or a victim’s job, employment status, or compensations the charges may include:

When extortion is found, the harasser will can be let go in shame from their job;

They lose all compensation they receive;

They are subject to prison time that could last up to three years.

When harassment charges are found involving a situation in which a victim is assaulted, penalties can include:

Jail time for the harasser that could last up to three months;

They may also lose a majority of their pay for those three months.

When harassment cases find that general threats were made toward the victim, penalties may include:

Let go shamefully from their job;

Loss of all compensation they receive;

Possible prison time that could last up to three years.

In the case of sexual harassment which has occurred by the use of non-verbal and verbal means, the harassment charges vary as well. When harassment cases find that sexually insinuating comments or expressions were made the punishment may include:

Prison time that can last up to six months time;

The majority of pay received for those six months taken away.

When harassment charges are filed because X-rated language was used to discipline the victim, sentencing often includes:

In the case that the the victim is under the age of sixteen, the harasser will face jail time that could last up to two years;

They may also lose all compensation during that time and be let go from whatever occupation they are in at the time in a shameful fashion;

In the case that the victim is over the age of sixteen, the harasser will face jail time that may last up to six months;

Additionally, they will be have to lose all wages that could have been earned during those six months;

If the victim is over the age of sixteen, they do not lose their job.

Harassment charges can be given to those who witness harassment and do not report it. Typical charges for this offense can include:

Being forced to leave their job;

Serving jail time for at the maximum six months;

Additionally, lose all compensation they would have received during that time.

Harassment cases are taken extremely serious for those who harass and those who stand on the sidelines and observe. In today's society, courts require that individuals take responsibility for disrupting another person’s life.

NEXT: Understanding Same-Sex Harassment