By: The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates | Restraining Order And Stalking Attorney In Los Angeles
When pop star Sabrina Carpenter discovered a stranger had breached the security fencing at her Los Angeles home, approached her front door, and tried to open it, she did what any person in fear should do: she took legal action. News broke on June 1, 2026, that Carpenter filed a temporary restraining order in Los Angeles against William Applegate, a 31-year-old man she describes as a complete stranger who returned to her property multiple times over the course of weeks. This high-profile case shines a light on how California's civil harassment laws work, why a restraining order for stalking in Los Angeles matters, and what any victim in this situation needs to know before the situation escalates further.
If someone is following you, showing up at your home, or making you fear for your safety, you do not have to wait for violence to happen before you act. Call 818-330-5198 or fill out our online contact form today to speak with Christopher Chaney about your legal options.
Stalking And Restraining Orders In California: What Does The Carpenter Case Tell Us?
According to court documents reported by ABC7 Los Angeles, Carpenter said she first became aware of Applegate on May 23, when he allegedly breached security fencing at her residence, approached her front door as shown in Ring doorbell images, and tried to open the door before her security team stepped in. Los Angeles police responded and arrested him for criminal trespass.
He was back less than 24 hours later, allegedly loitering in her driveway for two hours. He returned again on May 25. When Carpenter's team looked deeper, they found the alleged behavior had actually started on April 20, well over a month before she was even aware of it.
A police detective involved in the case stated in court documents that Applegate is "mentally unstable and poses a clear, credible and ongoing threat." Carpenter described him as "delusional" and said she is "in fear of what he may do."
Attorney Christopher Chaney, who handles cases involving stalking and civil harassment, says situations like this one rarely begin with a physical confrontation. "What we've seen, you will, you'll start with Instagram. You'll start with the letters. You'll start with consistent messages and things like that. Then you'll start seeing them at the live appearances," Chaney said. "You'll get that slight little interaction, and that kind of helps perpetuate whatever they have in their mind. Then it just progresses from there."
That progression is exactly what makes early legal intervention so important. This case is not an isolated incident. Stalking affects people from every walk of life throughout Los Angeles, and many victims do not know they have legal remedies available to them until the situation has already become dangerous.
Similar Post: Celebrity Restraining Orders: What Happens When a Restraining Order Gets Dropped in California
Restraining Order For Stalking In Los Angeles: What Are Your Legal Options In California?
California offers several legal tools for people who are being stalked or harassed. Understanding which applies to your situation is the first step toward getting protection.
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 527.6 allows any person who has suffered harassment to seek a civil harassment restraining order. Harassment under this law includes unlawful violence, a credible threat of violence, or a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses that person, and that serves no legitimate purpose. The conduct must be such that it would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress.
California Penal Code Section 646.9 addresses criminal stalking. A person commits the crime of stalking when they willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly follow, harass, or threaten another person, and when that conduct makes the victim reasonably fear for their safety or the safety of an immediate family member. A conviction under this section can result in state prison time, a fine, and a restraining order.
The Carpenter filing sought a temporary restraining order, which is an emergency order a court can issue quickly and without the other party present. A temporary restraining order can go into effect immediately and typically remains in place until a full hearing, which in California must generally occur within 21 days of the order being issued. At that hearing, the court decides whether to issue a longer-term restraining order, which can last up to five years and can be renewed.
The type of restraining order that fits your situation depends on your relationship with the person, the nature of the conduct, and whether criminal charges are also being pursued. An attorney focused on civil harassment and stalking cases can walk you through which path gives you the strongest and fastest protection.
What Victims Should Do Right Now: Practical Steps Before Your Hearing
If someone is stalking or harassing you, the steps you take before ever setting foot in court can have a significant impact on the outcome. Here is what matters most:
- Document every incident: Write down dates, times, locations, and exactly what happened. Include any witnesses who were present
- Save all communications: Do not delete texts, emails, voicemails, or social media messages from the person, even if the content is disturbing
- Preserve surveillance footage: If you have Ring, Nest, or any other home security footage, back it up immediately. In the Carpenter case, doorbell camera images were directly referenced in the court filing
- Contact law enforcement: File a police report each time an incident occurs. Police reports create an official record and, as seen in the Carpenter matter, detectives can provide statements in support of a restraining order
- Seek legal counsel promptly: A delay in filing can give the other party time to continue their behavior and can complicate your case
Building a clear, documented record is not just helpful, it is often the foundation of a successful restraining order case. The more thoroughly you have tracked the conduct, the stronger your position in court.
Understanding The Threat: Why Stalking Escalates And What California Courts Look For
One detail in the Carpenter case worth paying attention to is the pattern of escalation. What started with one trespass on May 23 turned into multiple return visits in the span of days, and court documents revealed the behavior had actually been ongoing since April 20. That pattern is exactly the kind of escalating conduct California courts evaluate when deciding whether to grant and then extend a restraining order.
Christopher Chaney has seen this progression play out repeatedly. The behavior described in the Carpenter filing, starting online and at public appearances before crossing into someone's private property, reflects the arc Chaney describes when he talks about how these cases tend to develop. What begins as persistent contact online or in public settings can shift quickly once a perceived connection is established in the stalker's mind.
Courts do not require physical violence to take action. A clear, credible, and ongoing threat, exactly the language used by the detective in Carpenter's case, is enough to justify legal intervention under California law. Judges look at the frequency of incidents, whether the person has tried to make contact, whether they have followed the victim to different locations, and the overall pattern of behavior.
When a restraining order is violated, the consequences in California are serious. A violation can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances, and can result in jail time, fines, and additional court orders.
Stalking And Harassment Cases Across Los Angeles And Southern California
Stalking and harassment cases reach every community in the Los Angeles area, from Hollywood Hills and the Westside to the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, Pasadena, and throughout Los Angeles County. Cases are filed in courthouses across the region, including the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Courthouse (also commonly referred to as the West District Courthouse in Santa Monica), and the Southwest District Courthouse in Torrance.
Whether a person is dealing with a former partner, an acquaintance, or, as in the Carpenter matter, a complete stranger, the legal process is the same. California law does not require a prior relationship between the victim and the alleged stalker to grant a civil harassment restraining order.
Communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley, the South Bay, and areas near the 405 and 101 corridors see these cases regularly. If you are in LA County or the surrounding area and you are being followed, watched, or threatened, you have the right to seek protection from the court.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stalking And Restraining Orders In Los Angeles
What is the difference between a civil harassment restraining order and a criminal stalking charge in California?
A civil harassment restraining order is a civil court order that prohibits the person from contacting or coming near you. It can be obtained even if no criminal charges are filed. A criminal stalking charge is pursued by prosecutors and can result in jail or prison time. Both can be pursued at the same time.
How quickly can I get a restraining order for stalking in Los Angeles?
A temporary restraining order can often be issued the same day or the next court day after you file, without the other party being present. The full hearing typically happens within 21 days, where a judge decides whether to issue a longer-term order that can last up to five years.
Do I need more than my own statement to get a restraining order in California?
Your sworn statement can be enough to support a temporary restraining order, but the more supporting evidence you have, including surveillance footage, police reports, texts, emails, or witness statements, the stronger your case will be at the full hearing.
Can someone get a restraining order against a stranger they have never met?
Yes. California's civil harassment restraining order law specifically covers situations involving people with no prior relationship. The Sabrina Carpenter case is a direct example of this, as she stated she has never met William Applegate and has no desire to.
What happens if the person violates the restraining order in California?
Violating a restraining order in California is a crime. Depending on the circumstances, it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony and can result in jail time, fines, and additional court orders.
How does social media factor into a stalking case in California?
Social media activity, including repeated messages, comments, and attempts to follow or contact the victim online, can be documented and presented as part of a pattern of harassment. As Christopher Chaney has noted, these cases often begin in digital spaces before moving into the physical world.
You Deserve To Feel Safe: Contact The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney & Associates Today
The Sabrina Carpenter case is a reminder that stalking does not always come from someone you know, and that the behavior Christopher Chaney describes, starting online and escalating into real-world intrusions, can happen to anyone. California law gives victims real tools, and moving quickly with the right legal support can make a significant difference in how the case unfolds and how soon you feel protected.
If you or someone you love is being stalked, followed, or harassed in Los Angeles or anywhere throughout Southern California, do not wait. Call 818-330-5198 or complete our online contact form to connect with Christopher Chaney and get the legal guidance you need to protect yourself and move forward.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.
