CRIMINAL THREATS (PENAL CODE § 422)
Once called “terrorist threats”, criminal threats can be a dangerously simple and far-reaching offense that can potentially effect anyone and everyone. One needs not look further than the definition in the law.
THE LAW OF CRIMINAL THREATS
Someone can commit this charge by placing someone in a mental state of reasonably sustained fear for their safety or the safety of their immediate family, where that threat is specific and unequivocal and communicated either verbally, written, or elecronically. Take special notice that nothing in the law requires the person making the threat to have the ability to carry it through. Which means, in a heated moment of anger, anyone can say something frightening to another person where they not only mean it–but can’t even commit to it’s accomplishment.
PUNISHMENT
A criminal threat charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony. More importantly, if charged as a felony the crime is considered a strike under the Three Strikes Law.