Annoying Phone Calls in New York

The basic definition of this crime is that you make a phone call that’s either obscene, threatening, or is actually one in a series of repeated calls, all with the intention of annoying or harassing whoever it is that you’re calling. You should also note, though, that this applies to emails and text messages as well, not just phone calls despite the name of this charge. Even though people might consider something like a prank call as just that, a prank, this is in fact charged as a misdemeanor, and can even give you a sentence in the county jail. Whatever the message is, it has to be obscene or threatening in some way, or else a repeated message to be considered under this law. The thing is that the court in many ways is still figuring out what constitutes obscene or threatening language under this law, so the definition is pretty amorphous and not as cut and dry as you’d expect. This law covers just about any electronic means of communication that you can think of, and it’s also important to note that it also applies if the person you’re contacting doesn’t answer at first, but then reaches you later, at which point you take part in the obscene language or whatever it is. Again, the language is important, not necessarily the method of contact. This charge is a misdemeanor, and so is punishable by six months in county jail, a fine of up to a thousand dollars, or both.