Summary: A new nationwide study from The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates finds that federal sentences for stalking and harassment vary widely by state, with Arkansas topping the list at an average of 56 months, double the national average of 28 months. The analysis of a decade of U.S. Sentencing Commission data also reveals wide gaps between average and median sentences, and notable disparities between California's own federal districts.
September 1, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, CA – A new nationwide study from The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates analyzes a decade of data from the U.S. Sentencing Commission on average federal sentences for stalking and harassment offenders from each state. Stalking affects about 13.5 million Americans every year, but findings show that sentencing for the same offense can vary from state to state.
When comparing states with the highest federal sentence length for stalking, Arkansas ranks #1, with offenders receiving an average of 56 months in prison. This average is double that of the national average, which comes out to 28 months.The study ranks Nevada second, with an average sentence of 43 months. Following that is Alaska at 42 months, with Idaho and Iowa rounding out the top five at 39 months each.
The study also finds that averages only tell part of the story. The nationwide median sentence is 21 months, which is below the 28-month national average and indicates a small number of exceptionally long prison terms can pull averages upward. Examples include Nevada’s average sentence of 43 months, which is more than double the state’s median of 18 months. Out of all the states, only Wyoming, Mississippi, Washington, and Wisconsin recorded median sentences higher than their averages.
When comparing federal sentences within California, which is local to The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates, outcomes vary widely by federal district. The Central District of California has the state’s longest average sentence at 27 months, a full year longer than the Southern District’s 15 months. The Northern District is the only district in the state where the median sentence exceeds the average, which may indicate a higher share of probationary sentences in that region.
"Although federal stalking and harassment cases are governed by the same federal legal system, sentencing depends on numerous factors, including the defendant’s history and the circumstances of the offense,” said Christopher Chaney, founding attorney of The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates. “These findings illustrate how significantly sentencing outcomes have historically varied across jurisdictions.”
The full study can be viewed on The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates here: https://www.ceclaw.net/research-studies/where-federal-stalking-and-harassment-sentencing-is-toughest/
About The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates:
The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates is a Los Angeles-based law firm specializing in criminal defense matters involving serious crimes. With experience in both state and federal matters and attorneys with a track record of success, the firm is dedicated to using their deep understanding of the law to advocate for the rights and well-being of their clients.
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