Arrested for Threatening to Harm?

Issuing Threats of Violence is a Felony under VA Criminal Law

Many people are not aware that threatening to harm, injure, or kill someone is actually a serious felony charge.

Call me for a consultation on what you can do to protect yourself against prosecution for making felonious threats.

How is an Illegal Threat Defined Under the Law?

A threat must be communicated in writing, including electronically via email for it to be a crime. The charge must include a threat to kill or do bodily injury to a person or a member of that person's family. The threat must also put that person in "reasonable" apprehension.

What is the Penalty for Issuing Threats of Violence?

Issuing a threat of harm is a Class 6 felony under Virginia criminal laws, which carries with it a penalty of 1-5 years in prison.

If that threat is terroristic in nature, with the intent to commit terrorism, it is a Class 5 felony, which has penalties of 1-10 years in prison if you are found guilty.

An oral threat of harm to kill or do bodily injury is a crime if it is committed on the grounds of a school or school activity. That charge would be a Class 1 misdemeanor, with maximum penalties of up to 12 months in jail.

VA Threatening Charge Defense Strategies

One of the best defenses would be around it's reasonableness. Did the person have a realistic fear of injury from the threat? We can argue that it was not serious or was a joke.

Give me a call to discuss defense options for this or any other Virginia criminal offense. There is absolutely no obligation for my initial consultation on any Virginia charge.

Sincerely,

The Attorneys of VaCriminalDefenseLawyer.com, Virginia Attorneys at Law

References: Virginia Code for Issuing Felony Threats

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