Criminal Threats Crimes
According to California law, making threats against one or more people, as well as making threats against a public place, is a CRIME.
This offense is established in the California Penal Code under Section 422 PC. In California, making a threat with criminal or terrorist intent is a crime. When a person threatens one or more individuals with violence, death threats, or assault, that act is considered a “Criminal Threats” offense.
Threats can be of different kinds, such as:
- Threatening to injure a person
- Threatening to harm your ex-partner’s new girlfriend
- Terrorizing families or a group of people for religious, political, skin color, or different ideological reasons
A threat can be made through any means, such as:
- In a letter
- By email
- Through social media
- By telephone
- In person
- In writing, such as leaving a note
- Among others
Threats can be directed at an individual, a specific group of people, or public places.
It is very common for young people, in moments of anger with another person, to make a threat in the heat of the moment, but that does not mean they will actually carry it out. However, the mere act of threatening to cause harm to a person or people is already a CRIME AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW. If you or a member of your family is in this situation, it is very important to obtain proper legal representation immediately.