Understanding Maryland Law on Surveillance and Stalking
Private investigators frequently conduct surveillance — a practice that often includes following or watching individuals over time. However, Maryland law draws a clear boundary between legal investigative work and criminal behavior such as stalking or harassment. Continue reading to learn more about the Maryland stalking statute.
What Is Considered Stalking Under Maryland Law?
Maryland Criminal Law Code § 3-802 defines stalking as a malicious course of conduct involving actions like approaching or pursuing someone, when the investigator intends — or reasonably should know — that these actions may:
Cause fear of serious bodily injury, assault, rape, false imprisonment, or death
Result in serious emotional distress
The statute also covers:
Stalking through electronic means
Using GPS or other location-tracking devices without knowledge or consent
Violating this law is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 5 years in jail and/or a $5,000 fine.
What Does Maryland’s Harassment Statute Say?
Under § 3-803, Maryland law prohibits behavior such as:
Following someone in public
Repeatedly engaging in alarming or annoying conduct
To qualify as harassment, the behavior must be:
Intended to harass
Repeated after being reasonably asked to stop
Lacking a legitimate legal purpose
First-time offenders may face up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine.
Why Surveillance Must Stay Within Legal Boundaries
Surveillance techniques like tailing, video observation, or documentation of movement can easily be misinterpreted as stalking or harassment if not handled correctly.
At AIP Investigations, we strictly adhere to Maryland law by ensuring that all surveillance activities:
Serve a clear legal purpose on behalf of a client
Are carried out in a professional and non-malicious manner
Cease immediately if law enforcement intervenes or boundaries are crossed
Never use tracking devices without proper legal authorization
Legal Exceptions to the Stalking Law
Maryland law recognizes that certain activities are exempt from § 3-802 when they are:
Enforcing a court order
Conducted for a specific lawful commercial purpose
Authorized by federal, state, or local law
As a licensed Maryland investigative agency, AIP Investigations works within these legal exceptions while gathering evidence for cases involving child custody, criminal defense, or civil litigation.
Our Commitment to Legal and Ethical Investigations
Our clients trust us not just to get results — but to do so within the boundaries of the law. A thorough understanding of Maryland’s stalking and harassment statutes guides every surveillance operation we undertake.
For more Maryland legal information and statutes: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/laws/statutes
📞 Contact AIP Investigations Today
If you need a licensed private investigator in Maryland, reach out to AIP Investigations — where legal knowledge meets professional investigative skill.
