TOPIC TUESDAY

This topic Tuesday is about harassment and what Arkansas law considers harassment. According to Arkansas statute 5-71-208, (a) A person commits the offense of harassment if, with purpose to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, without good cause, he or she: (1) Strikes, shoves, kicks, or otherwise touches a person, subjects that person to offensive physical contact or attempts or threatens to do so; (2) In a public place, directs obscene language or makes an obscene gesture to or at another person in a manner likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response; (3) Follows a person in or about a public place; (4) In a public place repeatedly insults, taunts, or challenges another person in a manner likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response; (5) Engages in conduct or repeatedly commits an act that alarms or seriously annoys another person and that serves no legitimate purpose; or (6) Places a person under surveillance by remaining present outside that person's school, place of employment, vehicle, other place occupied by that person, or residence, other than the residence of the defendant, for no purpose other than to harass, alarm, or annoy.

Harassment is a misdemeanor offense that is handled within District Court. Harassment charges are normally filed with an affidavit to the District Court with evidence presented by the victim, such as phone records, text messages, pictures, videos, etc.

Next Topic Tuesday, we will inform readers about harassing communications.