Which Florida Statute outlines the elements of stalking?

• A. Chapter 500 F.S.
• B. Chapter 784 F.S.
• C. Chapter 100 F.S.
• D. Chapter 65 F.S.

Answer: (B)

Florida law defines stalking in Chapter 784 of the Florida Statutes, which lays out the elements of the offense. Specifically, stalking involves willfully and maliciously pursuing or harassing another person, or cyberstalking, in a way that constitutes a course of conduct rather than a single act. In addition, there must be either a credible threat to the person or their family, or the conduct must place the victim in reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm, or cause substantial emotional distress. This combination of intent (willful/malicious), pattern (course of conduct), and the resulting fear or distress is exactly what the statute sets out as the elements of stalking. The other chapters address different areas of law and do not define stalking, so they aren’t the source for these elements.