What is required for a successful charge of harassment?

To establish a successful charge of harassment, it is essential to demonstrate a course of conduct that serves no legitimate purpose. This means that the behavior in question must involve persistent actions that are intended to annoy, alarm, or cause distress to the victim.

The concept of "course of conduct" typically implies a pattern of behavior over a period of time, rather than isolated incidents. For harassment charges to hold, it's not enough to have a single act; there must be an established sequence of actions that collectively create an unwanted and repeated interference in the victim's life.

While intent and the nature of threats play roles in shaping harassment cases, they are not sufficient on their own without the context of ongoing behavior that lacks a legitimate reason. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the necessity of demonstrating a clear and continuous pattern of conduct that is devoid of any lawful justification, which is foundational in legal definitions and applications of harassment.