In the fall of 2024, the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) mailed letters to parents who once had an open dependency and/or severance case.
Did you receive a letter? Visit the DCS letter page for more information.
What is harassment?
For purposes of an Injunction Against Harassment, harassment is considered a series of acts that happen over any period of time that are directed at a specific person. The acts serve no legitimate purpose and would cause a reasonable person to be seriously alarmed, annoyed, or bothered. A single incident, no matter how obnoxious, does not constitute harassment for purposes of an Injunction Against Harassment.
There are several different types of harassment under Arizona Law. The plaintiff will need to determine which definition applies to their situation and then fill out the correct petition.
A person commits criminal harassment if they intentionally or knowingly bother someone, by doing one or more of the following:
- Directly or anonymously contacts, communicates with, or has someone communicate on their behalf in a manner that harasses the other person.
- After a person asks them to stop, they continue to follow that person around in public for no legitimate reason.
- Repeatedly commits an act or acts that harass another person.
- Surveils (watches) or has another person to surveil a person for no legitimate purpose.
- On more than one occasion makes a false report to a law enforcement, credit, or social sector agency.
- Interferes with the delivery of any public or regulated utility to a person (Example: turns off a power breaker, closes a water valve).