§4653. Commencement of proceedings
1. Filing. A person who has been a victim of harassment, including a business, may seek relief by filing in an appropriate court:
A. A sworn complaint alleging harassment; and [PL 2011, c. 559, Pt. C, §3 (NEW).]
B. If the alleged harassment does not meet the definition in section 4651, subsection 2, paragraph C or is not related to an allegation of domestic violence, violence against a dating partner, sexual assault, stalking or harassment as described in Title 17-A, section 506, subsection 1, paragraph A-1 or A-2, a copy of a notice to stop harassing the plaintiff issued to the defendant pursuant to Title 17-A, section 506-A, subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (1), division (a) or a statement of good cause why such a notice was not sought or obtained. The court has discretion, based on the nature of the allegations as well as any further inquiry that the court may make of the plaintiff, to issue an order even if notice to stop harassing the plaintiff has not been issued to the defendant as described in Title 17‑A, section 506‑A, subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (1), division (a). [PL 2019, c. 359, §1 (AMD).]
[PL 2019, c. 359, §1 (AMD).]
2. Assistance. The court shall provide separate forms with a summons and clerical assistance to assist either party to proceed under this chapter in completing and filing a complaint or other necessary documents. This assistance may not include legal advice or assistance in drafting legal documents.
[PL 2003, c. 658, §3 (AMD).]
3. Fees. No fee may be charged for forms. A plaintiff may apply for the right to proceed in forma pauperis.
[PL 1989, c. 371, §1 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1987, c. 515, §1 (NEW). PL 1987, c. 708, §3 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 371, §1 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 199, §2 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 265, §3 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 650, §3 (AMD). RR 2003, c. 2, §7 (COR). PL 2003, c. 658, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 559, Pt. C, §3 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 455, §2 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 359, §1 (AMD).
Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.
LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.
The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.
You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.
The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.
Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.