§ 14-277.4A. Targeted picketing of a residence. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 14‑277.4A.  Targetedpicketing of a residence.

(a)        Definitions. – Asused in this section:

(1)        "Residence"means any single‑family or multifamily dwelling unit that is not beingused as a targeted occupant's sole place of business or as a place of publicmeeting.

(2)        "Targetedpicketing" means picketing, with or without signs, that is specificallydirected toward a residence, or one or more occupants of the residence, andthat takes place on that portion of a sidewalk or street in front of theresidence, in front of an adjoining residence, or on either side of theresidence.

(b)        It shall beunlawful for a person to engage in targeted picketing when the person knows orshould know that the manner in which they are picketing would cause in areasonable person any of the following:

(1)        Fear for theperson's safety or the safety of the person's immediate family or closepersonal associates.

(2)        Substantialemotional distress. For the purposes of this subdivision, "substantialemotional distress" is defined as in G.S. 14‑277.3A(b)(4).

(c)        Any person whocommits the offense defined in this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

(d)        Any personaggrieved under this section may seek injunctive relief in a court of competentjurisdiction to prevent threatened or further violations of this section. Anyviolation of an injunction obtained pursuant to this section constitutescriminal contempt and shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment of not lessthan 30 days and no more than 12 months.

(e)        Nothing in this sectionshall be construed to prohibit general picketing that proceeds throughresidential neighborhoods or that proceeds past residences.  (2009‑300, s. 1.)