Can I press charges?

Question

I have a neighbor who has called my landlord making false accusations. She is claiming that my oldest daughter is uncontrollable, my wife and I are never home, the cops are at our house 2-3 times a week, and that parties are always held at the house, all of which is untrue. This neighbor never once approached me or my wife telling us that she has any problems with us or my oldest daughter. She has also called the cops on my 9 year old daughter for throwing rocks into a puddle. This neighbor is claiming that she and several other neighbors are going to the home owners association to try and have us evicted for being a disturbance. My family and I have only been at this new house for 4 months and although we have a good relationship with our landlord, I don’t want my landlord to think that this is becoming a nuisance. What can I do? Can I press charges for harassment against this neighbor?

Answer 1

Try to discuss with the police station first,explain your situation and if other neighbours got problem with here and ask them if you can give there name and phone number to the police so as there turn they can fix the problem.


That only my opinion.
Have a great day and good luck

Answer 2

You can't really "press charges" because there is no criminal act. However, you can file harrassment charges against them. It would be a good idea to get a lawyer, and get documentation of it. Contact your landlord about the issues you are having with your neighbor and if you do intent to file a complaint against the neighbor, it will show your landlord that your neighbor is the source of the problems and that you want them to end. Just make sure to stay in constant contact with your landlord, so if things get hairy for a while, he is prepared for it and will most likely back you up against the neighbors. I would also try to talk to the other neighbors that are supposedly going to go to the home owners association and ask them if THEY have any issues with your family and if they really intend to help out the other neighbor. Maybe if the trouble making neighbor realizes that they don't have any wind holding them up, they may think twice about harrassing you. Moving is not really going to help anything, because you will always have a bad apple in the neighborhood, but if you stand your ground and don't take any crap, while you have to deal with the bad apple, the rest of them will most likely be better neighbors to you.

Answer 3

I'm wondering why this neighbor has such bad feelings toward you. Something is going on there. Your daughter may not be as innocent as you think while you and your wife are out of the house. I find it hard to believe that this neighbor is just trying to cause you a problem for no reason. Of course if it is for no reason and you can prove that you certainly can press charges in small claims court but you would have to prove damages.

Answer 4

You can sue anyone for anything. Whether you'll win is the question, and that depends on the evidence, of which I don't have. Why would your neighbor make that stuff up? I'd be extra extra sure that my kids weren't misbehaving when i was away before I took action on this. But as far as getting along with your neighbors, just try to be diplomatic. Bring her cookies, invite her to a BBQ, etc. Maybe if she gets to know your family a little better, she won't demonize your kids so readily.

Answer 5

Yes you can. Just check to find what harassment means in your area. Some places require a certain amouont of times before it is considered harassment. Tell your landlord that the next time your neighbor comes to complain, ask for a police report.

Answer 6

If this neighbor is doing this for no reason, then have no doubt this neighbor has done it to others, also for no reason. Therefore, your landlord already knows.

If your neighbor DOES have good reason, that would be an entirely different story.

I think your time is best spent determining that your neighbor has no good reason. Make sure you know what your kids are doing. Then the neighbor situation will take care of itself one way or the other.

Answer 7

First of all, if this is all untrue, go to the police and get a copy of the reports. Then, if they cooperate since files are supposed to be open to you, show the file to your landlord, if there is one, to prove that their accusations are false. Keep your name in the good. Also, if this goes to court, it would be civil/small claims court and you should be able to sue (with a good lawyer) for slander AND harassment. You first need all your evidence so you have the upper hand to begin with...and do your research...each municipality is different!!!

Answer 8

First, try to talk to the neighbor with a neutral witness present to find out why the neighbor is against you. Then, if that doesn't work, go through the process of pressing charges:
Get evidence first. Be careful, some kinds of evidence are circumstantial and some are considered invasions of privacy. I advise hiring a lawyer. Then press charges.

Answer 9

I would say you need to talk to your neighbor and ask why the problems weren't reported to you instead of calling the police, as far as calling the police goes they will get tired of it sooner or later. I don't think you could press harassment charges because it is a civil meaning you vs her, you will have to sue in civil court, it wouldn't be a criminal thing but you could make some money possibly in court with the right lawyer. You and your neighbor need to talk and find out why or what problems she has with your family. My guess would be that you have kids and live in her neighborhood.

Answer 10

are these neighbors older folks? the reason i ask is, calling the cops for throwing a rock into a puddle? sounds like older folks to me. I'd like to know if you you've gotten this information from the landlord or who? id make sure this neighbor is the one thats making the complaints cause if you are gonna call the cops get your ducks in a row before you do, so you know who you are complaining against.......good luck!

Answer 11

You can totally sue your neighbor. Will you win? I doubt it. You should definately confront this person. A good thing to ask would be if you have offended her in any way, and what you could do to make things right. If the neighbor wants to get along I would not sue. If she is out for blood, Well, the lawers I know definately are too.