How is "harassment" defined in the Texas Penal Code?

The definition of "harassment" in the Texas Penal Code specifically encompasses engaging in conduct that is intended to annoy, alarm, or intimidate another person. This aligns with the legal understanding of harassment, which focuses on the impact of certain actions on the targeted individual's emotional or psychological well-being. The law recognizes that harassment can take many forms, including but not limited to verbal, written, or physical actions that are deliberately aimed at causing distress to another individual.

In contrast, making unwanted physical contact, threatening to harm someone, or engaging in public disturbances may involve aggressive or inappropriate behavior but do not fully encapsulate the broader definition of harassment as defined by intent and the effect on the victim. The essence of harassment lies in the intention to provoke a negative emotional response rather than simply an action taken against another individual.