Harassment And Stalking
18 Pa.C.S. 2709 — harassment, stalking, and what a course of conduct is
In Pennsylvania, harassment is doing any of these with intent to harass, annoy or alarm another: striking, shoving, kicking or other physical contact, or attempting or threatening it; following the person in a public place; a course of conduct or repeated acts that serve no legitimate purpose; communicating lewd, threatening or obscene words about or to the person; or communicating repeatedly, anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours.
| Harassment | The grade |
|---|---|
| HarassmentPhysical contact, following, or a pointless course of conduct | The gradeA summary offense, one degree higher after violating a protection from abuse order as to the same victim |
| HarassmentLewd, threatening or obscene communications, or repeated communications | The gradeMisdemeanor of the third degree |
| HarassmentCyber harassment of a child | The gradeMisdemeanor of the third degree |
Stalking is a course of conduct or repeated acts or communications toward another person, including following without proper authority, in circumstances showing an intent to put that person in reasonable fear of bodily injury or to cause substantial emotional distress. A first offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree. A second offense, or a first after a conviction for a crime of violence against the same victim or family or household member, is a felony of the third degree.
A course of conduct is more than one act over a period of time, however short. Neither section applies to constitutionally protected activity. An offense may be treated as committed where a communication was made or where it was received.
Sources for this section (2)
- 18 Pa.C.S. 2709 — Harassment
- 18 Pa.C.S. 2709.1 — Stalking
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.