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Legal Information: Texas

Restraining Orders

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Laws current as of February 29, 2024

What is the definition of stalking?

Stalking is defined as when on more than one occasion, and as part of a course of conduct that is directed specifically at you, the following two conditions are met:

  1. the stalker commits harassment or s/he acts in a way that the stalker reasonably should know that you will regard as threatening you, your boyfriend/girlfriend, or a member of your family or household with bodily injury or death, or that an offense will be committed against your property or pet; and
  2. the stalker’s behavior reasonably causes you, your boyfriend/girlfriend, or a member of your family or household to:
    • be placed in fear of:
      • bodily injury or death; or
      • an offense being committed against your property or pet; or
    • feel harassed, annoyed, alarmed, abused, tormented, embarrassed, or offended.1

1 Tex. Penal Code § 42.072(a), (d)

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