In California, criminal threats of any nature, be they personal or terror-related, are charged in the same manner. That means whether you threaten to threaten to kill an ex or if you call in a bomb threat to an airport, you will still be charged with making a criminal threat. If you have been accused or making a criminal threat, you should immediately contact a skilled San Diego criminal attorney, even if you have not yet been formally charged with a crime yet.

While most people consider terrorist threats to be much more serious than threats made against a particular individual who is known by the suspect, California law considers them to be the same thing and equally serious matters. It also does not matter if there is only one person being threatened or many, or if the charge is made in person, over the phone or via email, the charge is still the same. A criminal threat is defined as threatening to commit a crime which will result in death or great bodily injury with the intent it be taken as a threat, even if one has no intention of carrying it out, with the threat being unequivocal and immediate such that the victim has a sustained fear or his/her safety.

Depending on the specifics of the case, the prosecutors may charge criminal threats as felonies or misdemeanors. If you work with a Vista criminal threats lawyer from the time the accusation is made, you will have a greater chance of facing misdemeanor charges for this offense. Penalties for criminal threats can include up to three years in prison and a strike under the state’s three strikes law, if the offense is charged as a felony, or up to one year in jail if it is charged as a misdemeanor. You could also be issued a restraining order from the alleged victim or victims of the threat.

If you have any questions about terrorist threats or criminal threats, please call San Diego criminal defense lawyer Peter M. Liss to schedule a free initial consultation.

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