A criminal threat is one that, if carried out, would result in death or great bodily injury to another person. The threat can be made verbally, in writing, by phone, e-mail or another electronic communication device. You can be convicted of making a criminal threat even if there is no intent of actually carrying it out.

A criminal threat involves threatening to commit an act of violence that would endanger others, with a reckless disregard for the harm it would cause to others. If you joke about having a bomb or a gun on an airplane, for example, you could be charged with making a criminal threat even though it was just a joke.

Whatever your intention, if the threat you make is a credible one, you can be charged with making a criminal threat. A criminal threat is a felony offense and a “strike crime”. Criminal threats can be made against anyone. However, when the threat is directed toward an intimate partner, the charge will be treated as a domestic violence abuse case and prosecuted under Domestic Violence law. If you or a love one is charged with a criminal threat, protect your legal rights. A person who is convicted of a crime in general faces societal stigmas and potentially irreparable damage to his or her reputation. It is almost always unwise to represent yourself. Retain the services of a seasoned and experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact the Law Offices of Tom R. Medrano for your no-cost consultation.