{"id":352080,"date":"2023-09-08T11:13:42","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T16:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/harassment.html"},"modified":"2023-09-08T11:13:42","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T16:13:42","slug":"harassment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/harassment.html","title":{"rendered":"Harassment Criminal Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Harassment Criminal Charges<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Harassment is usually behavior meant to alarm, annoy, torment, or terrorize a targeted person. Harassment crimes vary by state. There are also different degrees of severity. Sometimes, the crime needs evidence that the harasser placed the other person in fear or mental distress.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

There’s no simple answer for when harassment becomes a crime. For example, workplace harassment<\/a> is a serious issue, but it’s usually not a matter for police investigation.<\/p>\r\n

States have criminal statutes that forbid certain types of harassment, especially when they include threats of physical harm. Sometimes, the same behavior could be addressed in either civil or criminal court.<\/p>\r\n

This article helps define criminal harassment and related offenses. Ending harassing behavior may involve both criminal and civil remedies. If you’re accused of harassment, it’s a good idea to get a defense lawyer’s help<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n

Criminal Harassment Defined<\/h2>\r\n

Criminal harassment may often target an ex-spouse or neighbor<\/a>. Any person could be the target of harassment \u2014 a current or former partner, a co-worker, or even a stranger. Sometimes, it can include a threat of damage to the victim’s property, home, or car.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Harassment could take many forms, such as:<\/p>\r\n