Harassment happens more often than most people think. And a lot of folks have no idea what the law says about it. Whether it’s a nasty text message, a coworker making your life miserable, or someone who just won’t leave you alone, Mississippi has laws to protect you.
This guide breaks it all down in plain language. By the end, you’ll know what counts as harassment, what the penalties are, and what you can do about it.
What Is Harassment in Mississippi?
Harassment means unwanted behavior that alarms, annoys, or scares another person. It’s not just one bad day. The law usually looks for a pattern of repeated actions. Think of it like this: one rude comment might be offensive. The same comment sent 30 times? That’s harassment.
Mississippi covers harassment under several laws. The main one is Mississippi Code 97-45-15. It focuses on electronic and digital harassment. There’s also Mississippi Code 97-29-45, which covers phone harassment. And Mississippi Code 97-3-107 deals with stalking.
Pretty much every type of unwanted contact is covered somewhere in Mississippi law.
Basic Harassment Laws
What Counts as Harassment
Under Mississippi law, harassment involves intentional conduct. You have to mean to do it. The behavior must cause real emotional distress to a reasonable person. It also has to happen more than once.
Wondering what kinds of actions count? Here are the big ones. Sending repeated threatening messages is harassment. Making phone calls just to bother someone is harassment. Sending obscene or lewd messages is also harassment. Even using a third party to contact someone on your behalf counts.
Okay, this one’s important. Online behavior is fully included. Texting, emailing, and social media messaging are all covered under Mississippi law.
Phone Harassment Laws
Mississippi Code 97-29-45 specifically targets phone harassment. It’s one of the older laws on the books. It still applies very much today.
You break this law if you call someone repeatedly to annoy them. You break it if you use obscene language on a call. You also break it if you call without saying who you are, with intent to harass. Even making someone’s phone ring over and over with no other contact counts.
Sound complicated? It’s actually not. The key word is “intent.” You have to be trying to harass the person. A misdial isn’t harassment. Twenty misdialed calls in a row? That’s a harder case to make.
Online and Electronic Harassment Laws
Cyberstalking and Digital Harassment
Here’s where it gets serious. Mississippi Code 97-45-15 is the state’s cyberstalking law. It covers all digital forms of harassment.
You violate this law by sending repeated threatening emails or messages. You also violate it by making false statements about someone’s illness, death, or criminal behavior to scare them. Allowing someone else to use your device to harass people makes you responsible too.
Most people assume online harassment isn’t “real” harassment. They find out the hard way. Don’t be one of them.
Stalking Laws in Mississippi
Stalking is a step beyond harassment. Mississippi Code 97-3-107 defines stalking as a pattern of conduct directed at a specific person. The stalker must know, or should know, the behavior would cause the victim to fear for their safety.
Stalking can include following someone in public. It includes contacting them by phone, mail, or electronic communication. It also includes threatening or causing harm to the victim or someone close to them.
I looked this up recently. A key fact surprised me. Mississippi law says it is not a defense that the stalker didn’t know the behavior was unwanted. That means “I didn’t realize she was scared” won’t protect you in court.
Workplace Harassment Laws
What the Law Says at Work
Workplace harassment is illegal in Mississippi. Federal law, specifically Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, protects employees from harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability.
Sexual harassment at work falls into two types. The first is “quid pro quo.” That’s a Latin term meaning “something for something.” It happens when a boss demands sexual favors in exchange for a job benefit. The second type is “hostile work environment.” That’s when ongoing offensive behavior makes your workplace unbearable.
Honestly, this is the part most people miss. Title VII only applies to employers with 15 or more employees. If you work for a smaller employer, your protections are more limited under state law alone.
Who Can Harass You at Work
Here’s something that surprises many people. A harasser doesn’t have to be your boss. It can be a coworker. It can be a customer. It can even be a non-employee who visits your workplace.
Your employer has a legal duty to stop harassment once they know about it. If they don’t act, they can be held responsible. That’s true even if the harasser was a customer, not an employee.
Penalties and Consequences
Misdemeanor Penalties
Most basic harassment charges in Mississippi are misdemeanors. A misdemeanor is less serious than a felony, but still no joke.
For phone harassment under Mississippi Code 97-29-45, you could face a fine up to $500. You could also face up to six months in jail. Or both. The court may also require counseling or community service.
For general harassment under Mississippi Code 97-45-15, the penalty is also a misdemeanor. You could face a fine up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.
Felony Penalties for Cyberstalking
Hold on, this part is important. Cyberstalking carries harsher penalties than basic harassment.
A cyberstalking conviction under Mississippi Code 97-45-15 can result in up to two years in prison. The fine can be up to $5,000. That’s a felony. It goes on your permanent record and affects your ability to get a job, housing, and more.
Stalking and Aggravated Stalking Penalties
Basic stalking is a misdemeanor. You can face up to one year in county jail and a fine up to $1,000. If a restraining order was in place at the time, the fine goes up to $1,500.
Aggravated stalking is a felony. This happens when the stalker uses a deadly weapon. It also applies if the stalker was convicted of stalking in the past seven years. If the stalker is a registered sex offender and the victim is under 18, it also becomes aggravated stalking.
A conviction for aggravated stalking can result in up to five years in state prison. The fine can go up to $3,000. If the victim was a minor and the stalker was a sex offender, the prison time can reach six years and the fine can be $4,000.
Think of the difference between stalking and aggravated stalking like a traffic ticket versus a DUI. Both are bad. One is much, much worse.
Protective Orders in Mississippi
What Is a Protective Order?
A protective order is a court order that tells someone to stay away from you. Mississippi Code 93-21-3 allows victims to petition the court for one. You can get a protective order if you’ve experienced harassment or stalking, or if you fear harm.
You’re not alone if this process seems confusing. A lot of people don’t know it’s available to them.
Courts can issue a temporary protective order quickly, sometimes the same day you apply. This can happen even if the harasser isn’t in the courtroom. Later, after a full hearing, the court can make it permanent.
What Happens If Someone Violates a Protective Order
Violating a protective order is a separate crime. It makes the original harassment much more serious. If someone violates a protective order while stalking you, it counts as an aggravating factor. That can increase prison time and fines significantly.
Wait, it gets worse for the violator. Courts can also require psychiatric counseling for anyone convicted of stalking or aggravated stalking.
Special Circumstances
Harassment Against First Responders
Mississippi is strengthening its harassment protections for first responders. In 2025, Senate Bill 2324 was introduced to add an aggravated charge when phone or electronic harassment targets first responders or public safety dispatchers.
Personally, I think this law makes sense. First responders need to be able to do their jobs without fear of targeted harassment.
School Bullying and Harassment
Mississippi Code 37-11-67 covers harassment in public schools. Bullying or harassing behavior includes physical acts, verbal threats, and electronic communications. The behavior must place a student in fear of harm. Or it must create a hostile environment that interferes with their learning.
Every Mississippi school district must have an anti-bullying policy in its code of conduct. The policy has to address reporting and investigation processes.
Freedom of Speech and Legitimate Contact
Not every unwanted contact is harassment. Mississippi law has built-in protections for free speech. Peaceable, nonviolent activity that expresses political views is protected. Lawful protests and assemblies are also protected.
The difference matters. Contacting an elected official to complain? Totally legal. Sending that official 200 threatening messages at midnight? That’s a crime.
How to Report Harassment in Mississippi
Reporting Criminal Harassment
If you’re being harassed or stalked, contact local law enforcement. File a police report and keep a copy. Document every incident. Write down dates, times, what was said or done, and any witnesses. Save screenshots of messages.
You’re not overreacting. Most people wait too long to report. The sooner you document, the stronger your case becomes.
After reporting to police, you can also contact the Mississippi Attorney General’s office. For stalking cases specifically, law enforcement is required to use a Uniform Offense Report.
Reporting Workplace Harassment
For workplace harassment, start by telling your supervisor or HR department. Document the harassment and keep records. If nothing changes, file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Here’s the deadline you need to know. You have 180 days from the date of the harassment to file with the EEOC. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim.
Retaliation is also illegal. Your employer cannot fire you, demote you, or punish you for reporting harassment. If they do, that’s a separate legal violation.
Don’t worry, we’ll break it down step by step. Report to your employer first, then the EEOC, then an attorney if needed. Each step protects your rights a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does harassment have to happen multiple times to be illegal in Mississippi?
For most harassment charges, yes. The law usually requires a pattern of repeated conduct. However, a single incident of serious sexual harassment at work, like a quid pro quo demand, can still be illegal.
Can I be charged with harassment for sending text messages or emails?
Yes. Mississippi’s cyberstalking law covers all electronic communications, including texts, emails, and social media messages.
What’s the difference between harassment and stalking in Mississippi?
Harassment generally involves repeated unwanted communications that cause distress. Stalking involves a pattern of conduct that causes the victim to fear for their physical safety. Stalking carries heavier penalties.
How do I get a restraining order against someone harassing me?
File a petition with your local court under Mississippi Code 93-21-3. You’ll need to show that you’ve been harassed, stalked, or have a reasonable fear of harm. A judge can issue a temporary order quickly.
Can my employer fire me for reporting harassment?
No. Retaliation for reporting harassment is illegal under both federal law (Title VII) and Mississippi law. If you’re retaliated against, you have the right to file additional legal claims.
What if the harassment comes from someone online I don’t know?
Mississippi’s cyberstalking law still applies. You don’t need to know the person in real life for their online behavior to be criminal.
Does Mississippi protect me from harassment based on my race or religion?
Yes. Federal law (Title VII) protects against workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and other characteristics.
Final Thoughts
Mississippi takes harassment seriously. The laws cover everything from a harassing phone call to online threats to workplace abuse. The penalties range from small fines to years in prison, depending on how serious the conduct is.
The most important thing to remember? Document everything. Report it quickly. And don’t hesitate to ask for help, whether from law enforcement, the EEOC, or an attorney.
Now you know the basics. Stay informed, stay safe, and when in doubt, contact a Mississippi attorney who handles harassment cases.
References
- Mississippi Code § 97-45-15 – Cyberstalking and Electronic Harassment
- Mississippi Code § 97-29-45 – Telephone and Electronic Harassment
- Mississippi Code § 97-3-107 – Stalking and Aggravated Stalking
- Mississippi Bar Association – What Constitutes Sexual Harassment
- Mississippi Attorney General – Stalking Prevention and Awareness Guide
- WomensLaw.org – Mississippi Statutes on Stalking
- StopBullying.gov – Mississippi Anti-Bullying Laws and Policies
- EEOC – Filing a Harassment Complaint
