Online dating has dramatically increased the odds of finding a relationship or making a more temporary connection. But along with that convenience comes a whole new set of risks. Attempts to follow up after a first date, especially if messages are not answered, might be seen not as persistence—but as harassment. Other types of miscommunications can happen between people who don’t know each other well and who are communicating in writing, rather than in person.
If you’ve been accused of harassment in Seattle after an online dating experience, you may be feeling confused, frustrated, or even scared about what comes next, and with good reason—Washington law takes harassment claims seriously. A conviction can have lasting consequences on your personal and professional life. If someone seeks an anti-harassment order, though not a criminal conviction, it can be found on a background check and can also give prospective employers or others the wrong impression.
Jennifer Horwitz provides experienced, strategic defense for individuals facing harassment charges related to online dating. With a strong understanding of Washington law and demonstrated success in handling complex cases, she will work to protect your rights.
What Is Online Dating Harassment in Washington?
Washington’s harassment laws define harassment as a course of conduct that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses another person and serves no legitimate purpose. While laws are meant to protect individuals from true threats or intimidation, online dating (and the internet in general) has made the boundaries less clear.
Harassment in the context of online dating may include:
- Repeated unwanted messages via text, dating apps, email, or social media
- Threats of harm, even if not meant seriously
- Persistently contacting someone after they’ve asked you to stop
- Tracking or monitoring a person’s activities online
- Showing up uninvited at their home or workplace after meeting online
- Sharing or threatening to share private images or personal information
In many cases, people accused of harassment had no intention of causing harm. However, Washington law does not require proof that the accused wanted to intimidate or scare the other person—only that their actions were knowing and willful and that a reasonable person would interpret them as threatening. So, if your date claims to have felt threatened, you could be facing serious charges.
What Happens If You Are Charged With Harassment?
Depending on the facts of a case, harassment in Washington can be charged as either a gross misdemeanor or a felony.
- Gross Misdemeanor Harassment: A conviction could mean up to 364 days in jail, fines as high as $5,000, and possible restraining orders or firearm restrictions.
- Felony Harassment: If the charge involves threats of death or serious harm, it’s considered a Class C felony, carrying up to 5 years in prison and fines as high as $10,000.
If a protection order is issued against you, it can seriously disrupt your daily life. You may be banned from certain places you visit regularly, blocked from contacting specific people, and even restricted in what you can say or do online. Something as simple as commenting on a mutual friend’s post could land you in even more legal trouble.
The sooner you talk to a lawyer who understands online dating harassment cases, the better your chances of protecting your rights and preventing the situation from escalating.
What Are Some Defenses to Online Dating Harassment Charges in Seattle?
If you’ve been accused of harassment after an online dating interaction, you may be wondering if you have any options. The answer is yes—there are multiple defenses that may apply to your case.
Some of the most common defenses include:
Lack of Intent to Harass
Under Washington law, harassment requires knowing and willful conduct. This means the prosecution must prove that you intentionally engaged in conduct that would reasonably be perceived as threatening or harassing.
If your communication was intended to be friendly, apologetic, romantic, or part of an ordinary social interaction—rather than an attempt to threaten or intimidate—this could serve as a defense. However, courts will look at the totality of the circumstances, including how the messages were received and whether they were persistent or unwanted.
Single Contact Without a True Threat
In Washington, a single message does not automatically qualify as harassment, but a single act can lead to charges if it contains a true threat—a statement a reasonable person would interpret as a serious intent to cause harm.
Not all unwanted messages meet the legal standard for harassment. A single message is unlikely to result in a conviction if it is neutral, non-threatening, or non-confrontational—for example, a simple check-in like, “Hey, what’s up?” Messages that are part of normal social interaction, like sending a funny GIF or asking for another date, also do not typically rise to the level of harassment.
No Credible Threat or Reasonable Fear
To be convicted of harassment in Washington, the prosecution must prove that the alleged victim had a reasonable fear that the threat would be carried out. If your messages did not contain a true threat—meaning a statement that a reasonable person would interpret as a serious expression of intent to harm—then the case against you may be weak. Likewise, if the accuser’s fear was subjective but not objectively reasonable, this could be an available defense to you.
False Allegations or Misinterpretations
Some harassment claims stem from misunderstandings, being triggered about past online dating experiences, or even someone just tired of being pursued in the dating arena. It’s sad to say, but sometimes harassment allegations are made as a type of revenge for a real or imagined slight.
What Should You Do If You’re Accused of Online Dating Harassment?
A harassment accusation can feel like a death sentence, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some key steps you can take to protect yourself:
- No matter how much you want to contact the other person to explain, apologize, or try to clear up a misunderstanding, that contact can be used against you by the prosecution.
- Save texts, emails, or any online interactions related to your case. These records can provide important context and serve as evidence in your defense.
- Avoid posting anything about the accusation or your case. Prosecutors can and will use social media activity against you.
- Talk to an attorney ASAP to find out what you can do to protect your rights.
Taking these steps early can help prevent the situation from going from bad to worse.
Why Choose Jennifer Horwitz Law?
Jennifer Horwitz has spent years defending individuals accused of harassment, domestic violence, and sex crimes in Seattle, WA. She knows how easily online interactions can be misinterpreted—and how high the stakes are when those misunderstandings turn into criminal allegations. With a strategic, detail-oriented approach, she works to protect her clients’ rights and fight for the best possible outcome.
When you work with Jennifer, you can expect:
- Personalized, strategic defense tailored to your case
- Comprehensive expertise in Washington’s harassment laws
- Strong negotiation and trial experience deployed to fight for the best possible outcome for you
You don’t have to navigate this alone. In fact, your odds are better if you’re working with an attorney, so if you’ve been accused of harassment after an online dating interaction, reach out today for a confidential consultation.
Contact Our Seattle Harassment Defense Lawyer Today
Jennifer Horwitz is a trusted advocate with solid experience defending people just like you facing harassment and domestic-related charges, and who gets that a single misunderstanding shouldn’t define your future or lead to life-altering consequences. If you’re facing an online dating harassment accusation, don’t wait—schedule a confidential consultation today to discuss your case.