In early July of 2019, a man from Vestavia Hills was charged with 13 counts of aggravated criminal surveillance. Law enforcement alleged that the man used his phone to record women as they were changing in the stalls of a gym off Montgomery Road.
The alleged victim who first reported the man said she noticed a reflective object in the corner of the room she was in. At first, she didn’t make anything of it, but a few days later, the gadget was back. The woman said she realized someone was holding a phone over the partition. Gym staff identified a possible suspect and other alleged victims.
Upon investigating the instances, law enforcement claimed that the suspect had been recording women at the gym since April of 2019. Officials stated that at least 8 women might have been recorded in the stalls.
The man was released from Hoover City Jail after posting a $13,000 bond.
What Is Aggravated Criminal Surveillance?
Under Ala. Criminal Code § 13A-11-32.1, a person could be charged with aggravated criminal surveillance if, to receive sexual gratification, theysecretly watch or record another individual in an area where that person expected to have a reasonable amount of privacy. Such places include those that a person does not expect to be observed by anyone else. Areas that are open to the public are excluded from the definition of a “private place.”
For an individual to be convicted of this offense, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:
- Secretly observed someone else,
- Watched the other person in a place they thought was private,
- Did not receive the other person’s permission to observe them,
- Carried out the act for their own sexual pleasure, and
- Intended to watch the other person
Potential Conviction Penalties
Generally, this offense is a Class A misdemeanor, and if found guilty, the defendant could face a jail term of up to 1 year and a fine of up to $6,000. If the individual had a prior conviction for this crime, they could be charged with a Class C felony. The punishments for a conviction include up to 10 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
Get Aggressive Representation – Contact Tidwell Law Group, LLC for a Free Consultation
If you were charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, it is crucial to retain the services of a skilled lawyer. Being found guilty of a crime could result in severe consequences that could have a profound impact on your life. Understanding the effects of a conviction, we will leverage our considerable knowledge and resources to fight the allegations made against you. We have gotten charges reduced or dropped for past clients, and we are ready to work toward a favorable outcome on your behalf.
To discuss your case with our attorney, call us at (205) 536-7770 or contact us online.
