Getting threatening texts from someone can be scary. Maybe an ex won’t stop calling. Maybe a coworker keeps showing up where you least expect them.
You’re not alone. A lot of people deal with this. And Nebraska has real laws that can help. Let’s break them down together.
What Is Harassment Under Nebraska Law?
Okay, this one’s important. Nebraska doesn’t have a crime simply called “harassment” that stands on its own.
Instead, harassment is a building block. It’s used inside a bigger crime called stalking. Stay with me here, it makes sense once you see it.
Under Nebraska law, “harass” means doing something on purpose that seriously scares, threatens, or intimidates someone. It also has to serve no legitimate purpose. That last part matters a lot.
So simple, right? If someone has a real reason for contacting you, like a landlord or a coworker, that’s usually not harassment. But if they’re doing it just to mess with you, that’s a different story.
Basic Harassment Laws
The Course of Conduct Rule
Wondering if one bad text counts as harassment? It usually doesn’t. Nebraska law requires what’s called a “course of conduct.”
That’s just a fancy way of saying a pattern of behavior. Courts have said this means at least two separate acts of harassment. One angry message probably won’t cut it on its own.
The behavior has to show a real “continuity of purpose.” Think following someone, calling them over and over, or repeatedly showing up uninvited. It’s a pattern, not a single slip-up.
Not sure what counts? Examples include following you around, calling nonstop, sending threatening messages, or restraining your personal liberty in some way. Each one alone might feel small. Together, they build a legal case.
Stalking Is the Actual Crime
Here’s where it gets interesting. When harassment is done with the intent to injure, terrify, threaten, or intimidate someone, it becomes stalking under Nebraska law.
This applies even if the target is a family member of the person being harassed. So it’s not just about you directly. It covers your household too.
Honestly, this is the part most people miss. They think “harassment” and “stalking” are totally separate crimes in Nebraska. They’re really tied together under the same law.
Penalties and Consequences
Let’s talk about the penalties. This is the part everyone actually wants to know.
Without any extra factors, stalking in Nebraska is a Class I misdemeanor. That can mean up to one year in jail. It can also come with a fine of up to $1,000.
Think of a Class I misdemeanor like a serious speeding ticket, but way more serious. It won’t ruin your whole future, but it’s definitely not nothing.
But wait, there’s more to know. Certain factors can bump this up to a Class IIIA felony. That’s a much bigger deal.
A Class IIIA felony can bring up to three years in prison. It can also mean a fine of up to $10,000, plus up to 18 months of supervision after release.
So what pushes a charge up to felony level? A few things do it. Having a prior conviction for the same kind of offense within the past seven years is one. So is having a victim under sixteen years old.
Possessing a deadly weapon during the incident is another trigger. Violating a protection order at the same time counts too. So does having a past felony conviction against that same victim.
Pretty straightforward once you see the list, right? More danger, more history, more vulnerability in the victim. All of it pushes the punishment higher.
Harassment Protection Orders
Now, here’s where things get practical. If you’re being harassed, you don’t have to just wait around and hope it stops.
Nebraska lets you ask a court for a Harassment Protection Order. This is a civil order, not a criminal charge. It’s meant to stop the harassment before things get worse.
You can request this even without filing a police report first. That surprises a lot of people. You’re basically asking a judge to step in and set boundaries.
Courts can grant these orders quickly in urgent situations. This is called an “ex parte” order, meaning it can be issued before the other person even shows up in court.
A Harassment Protection Order usually lasts at least one year. It can last up to two years unless the court changes it. You can also renew it for another year if you still need protection.
The order can stop someone from contacting you. It can block calls, texts, emails, and social media messages too. It can also keep them away from your home, your job, or other places you specify.
What Happens If Someone Breaks the Order
Sound complicated? It’s actually not, once you break it down. Violating a Harassment Protection Order is its own separate crime in Nebraska.
A first violation is a Class II misdemeanor. That can mean up to six months in jail and a fine.
A second or later violation gets bumped up to a Class I misdemeanor. That’s up to a year in jail, plus a bigger possible fine.
Trust me, courts take these violations seriously. Even one accidental slip, like a single unwanted text, can trigger new criminal charges. It’s similar to trespassing, but with much heavier consequences attached.
What About Online Harassment?
A friend asked me about this recently. Turns out, most people assume online harassment is somehow “less real” than in-person harassment. That’s just not true in Nebraska.
Nebraska’s stalking and harassment laws cover electronic communication too. That includes texts, emails, social media messages, and posts meant to threaten or intimidate someone.
Cyber harassment without physical threats often starts as a misdemeanor. That can mean up to a year in jail and fines as high as $1,000. Once threats or a repeated pattern get involved, it can turn into a felony fast.
Screenshots matter a lot here. Save your messages. Save timestamps. Save anything showing a repeated pattern of contact. This evidence can make or break a case.
Recent Changes to Watch
Here’s something worth knowing. Nebraska updated its stalking and harassment definitions through LB935 in 2026, with changes becoming operative on July 18, 2026.
This followed earlier updates from LB80 in 2025 as well. Lawmakers keep refining these definitions to close gaps and better protect victims.
Nebraska courts have also clarified some tricky parts recently. In 2025, the Nebraska Supreme Court confirmed that even a single physical assault, or the threat of one, can count as an act of harassment if it’s serious enough.
Courts have also said that threats don’t have to be physical to count. Threatening to reveal private, sensitive information about someone can qualify too, if it seriously terrifies or intimidates them.
Special Circumstances
Personally, I think the family protection piece of this law is one of the most important parts. Nebraska protects not just the direct victim, but their family and household members too.
There’s also an exception worth mentioning. These stalking and harassment laws don’t apply to conduct during labor picketing. Lawmakers carved that out to protect legal protest activity.
Timing matters too. Courts look at breaks between incidents when deciding if a “course of conduct” really happened. A gap of weeks or months between actions might weaken a case. A tight pattern over days strengthens one.
How to Protect Yourself and Take Action
Here’s what you need to do if you’re dealing with harassment right now. Start by documenting everything. Screenshots, call logs, dates, and times all matter.
Don’t respond to the harasser directly if you can avoid it. Reaching out again, even to tell them to stop, can sometimes complicate your case later.
Contact local police if you feel unsafe. You can also reach out to the county court to start the process for a Harassment Protection Order.
If things feel urgent, don’t wait. Courts can issue emergency orders fast when there’s a real, immediate risk.
Consider talking to an attorney too. Harassment and stalking cases can get complicated, especially when online evidence and prior incidents are involved. A lawyer can help you build the strongest case possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does one mean text message count as harassment in Nebraska?
Usually not on its own. Nebraska law generally requires a pattern of at least two separate harassing acts to build a case.
Can I get a protection order without filing criminal charges?
Yes. A Harassment Protection Order is a civil process. It’s separate from any criminal stalking charge.
Is online harassment treated differently than in-person harassment?
Not really. Nebraska’s stalking and harassment laws apply to electronic communication the same way they apply to in-person conduct.
What happens if someone violates my protection order?
A first violation is a Class II misdemeanor. A second or later violation becomes a Class I misdemeanor, with harsher jail time and fines.
Can stalking charges become a felony in Nebraska?
Yes. Factors like a deadly weapon, a victim under sixteen, a prior conviction, or violating a protection order can raise the charge to a Class IIIA felony.
Final Thoughts
Now you know the basics of Nebraska’s harassment and stalking laws. The system is built to protect you, whether the harassment happens face to face or online.
Document everything. Don’t be afraid to ask a court for help. And when things feel unclear or urgent, reach out to law enforcement or a lawyer who knows this area well.
Stay informed, stay safe, and when in doubt, look it up or ask a legal professional near you.
References
- Nebraska Revised Statute 28-311.02, Stalking and harassment; legislative intent; terms, defined: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-311.02
- Nebraska Revised Statute 28-311.04, Stalking; violations; penalties: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/display_html.php?begin_section=28-311.02&end_section=28-311.05
- Nebraska Revised Statute 26-118, Protection order violations; penalties: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=26-118
- Nebraska Judicial Branch, Harassment Protection Order Information (DC-19-3): https://nebraskajudicial.gov/sites/default/files/DC-19-3.pdf
- WomensLaw.org, Nebraska Harassment Protection Orders, Legal Definition of Harassment: https://www.womenslaw.org/laws/ne/restraining-orders/harassment-protection-orders/basic-information/what-legal-definition
