Harassment Laws in Missouri (2026): Your Rights and the Real Risks

Most people don’t realize how broad Missouri’s harassment laws really are. Seriously. You don’t have to physically touch someone to face serious criminal charges. A few angry texts or repeated unwanted calls can land you in court.

This guide breaks down exactly what counts as harassment in Missouri, what the penalties look like, and what you can do if you’re a victim.

What Is Harassment in Missouri?

Harassment is any act done without good cause that is meant to cause emotional distress to another person. That’s pretty much the legal definition under Missouri law (RSMo § 565.090).

Now here’s the key phrase: “emotional distress.” Missouri law defines it as something much more than everyday stress. It has to be markedly greater than the normal nervousness or unhappiness we all feel in daily life. Think intense fear, severe anxiety, or real psychological harm.

Wondering if a single rude comment counts? Probably not. But a pattern of threatening messages? That’s a different story entirely.

The Two Degrees of Harassment

First-Degree Harassment

This is the more serious charge. You commit first-degree harassment if you act without good cause, with the purpose to cause emotional distress, and your actions actually do cause that distress.

Both elements must be true. You meant to cause it. And it happened. <br>

Quick tip: Even leaving a harassing message on someone’s voicemail can qualify. Missouri courts have held this since the 1980s, and the law still applies today.

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First-degree harassment is a class E felony. That’s a serious charge.

Second-Degree Harassment

This one is slightly different. You commit second-degree harassment if you act without good cause and intend to cause emotional distress, even if the other person wasn’t actually distressed.

The intent is there. The result doesn’t have to be proven.

Second-degree harassment is a class A misdemeanor for first-time offenders. But if you’ve been convicted before? It jumps up to a class E felony. Same serious consequences.

What Are the Actual Penalties?

Okay, this part is important. Let’s get specific.

Class E Felony (first-degree harassment, or repeat second-degree):

Up to 4 years in prison
Up to $10,000 in fines

Class A Misdemeanor (first-time second-degree harassment):

Up to 1 year in jail
Up to $2,000 in fines

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Think of a class A misdemeanor like a serious traffic offense, but with real jail time possible. A class E felony is no joke. It goes on your permanent record and can affect jobs, housing, and more.

Honestly, even the misdemeanor is something you never want on your record.

Stalking: When Harassment Escalates

Here’s where things get more serious.

Missouri also has stalking laws (RSMo § 565.225 and § 565.227). Stalking is when you repeatedly engage in behavior that serves no legitimate purpose and would cause a reasonable person to feel frightened or emotionally distressed.

The key word is “repeatedly.” One incident might be harassment. A pattern of incidents could become stalking.

First-Degree Stalking

This applies when your conduct includes threats that make someone fear for their safety or their family’s safety. It’s also first-degree stalking if you violate an order of protection while doing it.

First-degree stalking is a class E felony. That means up to 4 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

If the victim is a law enforcement officer or their family member, the charge bumps up to a class D felony. That’s up to 7 years in prison.

Second-Degree Stalking

This covers repeated behavior meant to disturb someone, even without a specific threat.

A first offense is a class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail, $2,000 fine). A second offense becomes a class E felony.

Most people assume stalking only applies to strangers. It doesn’t. It can happen between exes, coworkers, neighbors, or anyone else.

Online Harassment and Cyberbullying in Missouri

Hold on, this part is important. The internet does not protect you from harassment laws.

Missouri law makes it clear. You can be charged with harassment or stalking for conduct done through texts, emails, social media, phone calls, or any electronic device. This is sometimes called cyberharassment.

The penalties are the same as in-person harassment. No difference.

Missouri even created the “Stop Cyberstalking and Harassment Task Force” to tackle the rise of online harassment. The task force began meeting in fall 2024 to study the issue and recommend new policies.

There’s also a separate crime called unlawful online posting (RSMo § 565.240). If you post someone’s personal information online, like their home address or phone number, with intent to cause them great bodily harm or threaten them, that’s a class C misdemeanor. Up to 15 days in jail and a $750 fine. If the victim is in a protected profession, it becomes a class E felony.

Harassment in Schools

Missouri requires every school district to have an anti-bullying policy. Bullying is defined as intimidation or harassment that makes a reasonable student fear for their safety. This includes cyberbullying.

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Schools must have procedures for reporting, investigating, and responding to bullying. Students who bully others can face school discipline. In serious cases, they can also face criminal charges under the same harassment statutes.

Many people assume school bullying is just a school problem. It can become a legal one.

Special Circumstances to Know

A few situations change how these laws apply. Worth knowing about.

Law enforcement officers are exempt. Officers investigating crimes are not subject to harassment charges for doing their jobs. The law specifically carves this out.

Harassment of law enforcement escalates charges. On the flip side, if you target a police officer or their family member for harassment or stalking, penalties are higher. A charge that would normally be a misdemeanor or class E felony can jump to a class D felony.

Repeat offenses always mean harsher penalties. This applies across the board. Second offense? Expect a felony charge even if the first offense was only a misdemeanor.

Personally, I think the repeat-offense escalation makes a lot of sense. It sends a clear message that continued behavior won’t be tolerated.

What If You’re the Victim?

You’re not alone. Harassment happens more often than most people realize. Here’s what you can do.

Document everything. Save texts, emails, voicemails, and screenshots. Write down dates, times, and what was said. This evidence matters a lot in court.

Contact local law enforcement. You can report harassment to your local police department or the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Don’t wait until things escalate.

Apply for an order of protection. If you feel threatened, Missouri courts can issue an order of protection. This is a legal order that requires the harasser to stay away from you. Violating that order makes things much worse for the harasser legally.

Talk to a lawyer. A local attorney can help you understand your options and decide on the best next steps.

Wait, there’s one more thing. If the harassment is happening at work, you may also have options under federal employment law. Sexual harassment and other forms of workplace harassment may be handled through the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) in addition to criminal law.

How to Report Harassment in Missouri

Sound complicated? It’s actually pretty straightforward once you know who to call.

You can report criminal harassment to your local police or sheriff’s office. For workplace harassment, contact the Missouri Commission on Human Rights or the EEOC. For online threats, you can also report directly to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

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If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.

Don’t wait and hope it stops on its own. Many people do. It often doesn’t.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be charged with harassment for sending too many text messages? Yes. If you send repeated unwanted texts without good cause and your purpose is to cause emotional distress, you can face harassment charges in Missouri.

What counts as “emotional distress” under Missouri law? It has to be significantly more than everyday stress. Missouri law requires distress that is markedly greater than the normal anxiety or unhappiness people feel in daily life.

Is online harassment treated differently than in-person harassment? No. Missouri law applies the same harassment and stalking statutes to conduct done online, by text, email, or any electronic device.

Can I get a protective order for harassment in Missouri? Yes. You can petition a Missouri court for an order of protection. If granted, the harasser must legally stay away from you, or face additional criminal charges.

What’s the difference between harassment and stalking in Missouri? Harassment usually refers to a specific act intended to cause distress. Stalking involves a repeated course of conduct that would cause a reasonable person to feel frightened or distressed.

Can juveniles be charged with harassment in Missouri? Yes. Juveniles can face charges under Missouri’s harassment laws, though they are often handled in the juvenile justice system rather than adult court.

Final Thoughts

Now you know the basics of Missouri harassment law. It’s broader than most people expect. It covers in-person behavior, online conduct, phone calls, texts, and more. The penalties are real. A single conviction can follow you for years.

If you’re experiencing harassment, document it and report it. If you’re not sure whether something you’re doing could cross the line, stop and talk to a lawyer first. When in doubt, always seek professional legal advice.

Stay informed, stay safe, and take this stuff seriously.