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Legal definition and elements of harassment in Washington state
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10318/legal-definition-and-elements-of-harassment-in-washington-state
The legal definition of harassment in Washington state involves a pattern or a single act of intentional behavior that seriously alarms, annoys, harasses, or harms a person without serving a legitimate or lawful purpose, and that causes substantial emotional distress to the victim. Key Elements of H...
Understanding the Difference Between Civil and Criminal Harassment in Massachusetts
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10166/understanding-the-difference-between-civil-and-criminal-harassment-in-massachusetts
In Massachusetts, civil harassment and criminal harassment are distinct legal concepts with different implications, procedures, and penalties. Civil Harassment Civil harassment is not a criminal charge but a civil matter. It typically involves unwanted behavior that causes distress but does not ris...
Massachusetts Civil Court Procedures for Harassment Claims
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10170/massachusetts-civil-court-procedures-for-harassment-claims
In Massachusetts, civil harassment claims are addressed through a specific legal process under Chapter 258E of the Massachusetts General Laws, which allows a person suffering from harassment to file a complaint in the appropriate court requesting protection from such harassment. Key Procedures for F...
How to Document Incidents of Neighbor Harassment for Legal Purposes
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10167/how-to-document-incidents-of-neighbor-harassment-for-legal-purposes
Documenting Neighbor Harassment for Legal Purposes Documenting incidents of neighbor harassment is crucial for building a strong legal case. Here are the steps to follow: 1. Maintain a Detailed Log Dates and Times: Record when each incident occurred. Description: Provide a detailed account of what...
When Can a Civil Harassment Order Be Issued Against a Neighbor?
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10163/when-can-a-civil-harassment-order-be-issued-against-a-neighbor
A civil harassment restraining order can be issued against a neighbor under specific circumstances. Here are the key conditions and steps involved: Conditions for Issuance Harassment Definition: The behavior must constitute harassment as defined by law. This includes a pattern of conduct that ser...
Legal Recourse for Repeated Unwanted Contact with a Minor
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10165/legal-recourse-for-repeated-unwanted-contact-with-a-minor
Legal recourse for repeated unwanted contact with a minor, especially when it involves stalking or harassment, is robust and varies depending on jurisdiction but generally includes criminal and civil remedies: 1. Criminal Penalties for Stalking Minors In the United States, under federal law (Title...
Distinguishing between legitimate law enforcement actions and harassment by MPs
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10034/distinguishing-between-legitimate-law-enforcement-actions-and-harassment-by-mps
Distinguishing between legitimate law enforcement actions and harassment by police officers involves understanding the legal boundaries and the nature of police conduct. Here are key points to consider: Legitimate Law Enforcement Actions Reasonable suspicion or probable cause: Police must have a va...
Legal protections for pet owners against neighbor harassment or abuse
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10327/legal-protections-for-pet-owners-against-neighbor-harassment-or-abuse
primarily come through specific provisions in domestic violence protection orders and general harassment laws, depending on the jurisdiction. Key points include: Protection Orders Including Pets: In states like Washington and California, courts can include pets in domestic violence protection ord...
How to document and report neighbor harassment and threats to law enforcement
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10322/how-to-document-and-report-neighbor-harassment-and-threats-to-law-enforcement
To effectively document and report neighbor harassment and threats to law enforcement, follow these key steps: 1. Document the Harassment Thoroughly Keep a detailed written log of every incident, noting the date, time, location, and a clear, objective description of what happened, including exact w...
The Role of Police and Law Enforcement in Neighbor Harassment Cases
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10171/the-role-of-police-and-law-enforcement-in-neighbor-harassment-cases
Police and law enforcement play a crucial role in addressing neighbor harassment cases by providing immediate intervention, gathering evidence, and facilitating legal processes. Here's how they contribute: Immediate Intervention Responding to Calls: Police respond to calls about harassment, which...
Civil anti-harassment orders and restraining orders in Washington state
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10323/civil-anti-harassment-orders-and-restraining-orders-in-washington-state
are legal tools designed to protect individuals from harassment, threats, or abuse. Here is a neutral summary of how these orders work: Types of Protection Orders Civil Anti-Harassment Orders: These are intended for situations where someone is being harassed, stalked, or threatened by another pers...
Steps to take when police decline to file a report in a neighbor dispute
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10326/steps-to-take-when-police-decline-to-file-a-report-in-a-neighbor-dispute
When the police decline to file a report in a neighbor dispute, there are several important steps you can take to protect your rights and address the situation effectively: 1. Document Everything Thoroughly Keep detailed records of all incidents, including dates, times, descriptions of the behavior...
Legal validity of threats and enforcement of rental contracts
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10186/legal-validity-of-threats-and-enforcement-of-rental-contracts
The legal validity of threats in the context of rental contracts is clear: threats of physical harm, property damage, or retaliation by landlords are illegal and constitute harassment. This includes verbal threats, written messages, or implied threats. Similarly, tenants who threaten landlords also...
Resources available for military personnel experiencing harassment on base
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10039/resources-available-for-military-personnel-experiencing-harassment-on-base
Military personnel experiencing harassment on base have access to a variety of resources designed to provide support, reporting options, and prevention education: 1. Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1020.04 This instruction outlines policies and procedures for preventing and responding to har...
Filing a nuisance complaint against a neighbor in New Jersey
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10136/filing-a-nuisance-complaint-against-a-neighbor-in-new-jersey
To file a nuisance complaint against a neighbor in New Jersey, you should follow these key steps: Understand Local Ordinances Begin by reviewing your municipality’s local ordinances related to noise, property boundaries, pet control, or other relevant nuisance issues. These laws define what is leg...
California's Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act (Penal Code 502)
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10301/californias-comprehensive-computer-data-access-and-fraud-act-penal-code-502
California’s Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, codified as Penal Code § 502, is a broad statute designed to protect individuals, businesses, and government agencies from unauthorized access, tampering, interference, or damage to computer data and systems. Key Provisions Scope of Pr...
Legal options for addressing neighbor nuisance parties in New Jersey
https://legiswiki.com/en/p/10132/legal-options-for-addressing-neighbor-nuisance-parties-in-new-jersey
When dealing with neighbor nuisance parties in New Jersey, you have several legal options to address the issue effectively: 1. Understand Local Ordinances Each municipality in New Jersey has specific noise and nuisance regulations, including decibel limits and quiet hours. These local laws often gov...
Harassment Laws
Harassment laws refer to legal provisions that prohibit certain behaviors intended to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, or embarrass another person. These laws cover a wide range of offensive behaviors that threaten, intimidate, demean, or cause substantial emotional distress without any legitimate purpose.
General Definition of Harassment
Harassment involves unwanted, uninvited, and unwelcome conduct that can be verbal, physical, or visual. It often includes repeated or severe actions that create a hostile or intimidating environment for the victim. Harassment can be based on protected personal characteristics such as race, sex, disability, or age, and it often constitutes a form of discrimination.
Examples of Harassment Under the Law
- Making obscene comments or proposals with the intent to harass.
- Threatening bodily injury or felony against a person or their family.
- Conveying false reports likely to alarm someone.
- Repeatedly calling or making anonymous phone calls to annoy or alarm.
- Failing to hang up a phone call intentionally to harass.
Harassment in Employment
In the workplace, harassment is a form of employment discrimination prohibited under laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. It includes offensive, unwelcome conduct based on protected characteristics that is severe or pervasive enough to affect employment conditions. This can include offensive jokes, slurs, unwanted touching, or other hostile behaviors.
Specific State Example: Texas
Texas Penal Code §42.07 defines harassment as a misdemeanor offense involving intentional abusive behavior such as obscene communication, threats, false reports, or repeated phone calls intended to harass or alarm. Texas also has specific laws addressing sexual harassment in the workplace, expanding protections and liability for supervisors.
Summary
Harassment laws protect individuals from behaviors that are threatening, intimidating, or humiliating, especially when linked to discrimination or repeated conduct that creates a hostile environment. These laws vary by jurisdiction but generally cover verbal, physical, and visual forms of harassment, including in workplaces and public settings.