{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "120.50", "citation": "Penal Law § 120.50", "heading": "Stalking in the third degree", "text": ["§ 120.50 Stalking in the third degree.", "A person is guilty of stalking in the third degree when he or she:", "1. Commits the crime of stalking in the fourth degree in violation of section 120.45 of this article against three or more persons, in three or more separate transactions, for which the actor has not been previously convicted; or", "2. Commits the crime of stalking in the fourth degree in violation of section 120.45 of this article against any person, and has previously been convicted, within the preceding ten years of a specified predicate crime, as defined in subdivision five of section 120.40 of this article, and the victim of such specified predicate crime is the victim, or an immediate family member of the victim, of the present offense; or", "3. With intent to harass, annoy or alarm a specific person, intentionally engages in a course of conduct directed at such person which is likely to cause such person to reasonably fear physical injury or serious physical injury, the commission of a sex offense against, or the kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment or death of such person or a member of such person's immediate family; or", "4. Commits the crime of stalking in the fourth degree and has previously been convicted within the preceding ten years of stalking in the fourth degree.", "Stalking in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/120.50", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits stalking in the third degree by:\n- **(1)** committing stalking in the fourth degree (§ 120.45) against **3 or more people in 3 or more separate transactions**, none previously convicted;\n- **(2)** committing stalking in the fourth degree after a **specified predicate crime** conviction (§ 120.40(5)) **within the preceding 10 years**, where the predicate's victim is the present victim or an immediate family member of the present victim;\n- **(3)** with intent to **harass, annoy or alarm** a specific person, intentionally engaging in a **course of conduct** likely to cause reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury, a sex offense, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment or death of the person or an immediate family member; ★ or\n- **(4)** committing stalking in the fourth degree after a stalking in the fourth degree conviction **within the preceding 10 years**. ★\nIt is a **class A misdemeanor**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/120.50", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}