California legal term
harass in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “harass” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “harass” mean in California criminal law?
“harass” means engages in a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person that seriously alarms, annoys, torments, or terrorizes the person, and that serves no legitimate purpose. (Cal. Penal Code § 646.9)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.