Law Office of Michael L. Fell
900 Roosevelt Irvine, CA 92620
(949) 585-9055

Learn the Potential Penalties for Making Criminal Threats – And the Defense Options You Can Use

If you are accused of making criminal threats, it might feel as though you have few options. The truth is that there are defense options that could work for you. Keep reading to learn more about potential penalties and potential defenses to this and other domestic violence charges. Then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.

Potential Penalties for Criminal Threats

In the state of California, criminal threats are what is known as a “wobbler” offense. This means that they can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or a felony. The prosecutor will determine how to charge a particular crime based on the facts of the case and whether or not the defendant has a criminal history.

When charged as a misdemeanor, a conviction of criminal threats can result in up to one year in county jail and up to $1,000 in fines. If charged as a felony, the punishment can be as long as three years in state prison and up to $10,000 in fines. However, there are several situations that can lead to sentencing enhancements such as:

  • Using a deadly or dangerous weapon can add one consecutive year to the sentence
  • Multiple threats, or threats made against multiple people, can result in separate charges for each threat or person
  • If charged as a felony, this is a Three Strikes offense, which can lead to significant sentencing enhancements if it is not the first strike
  • Making criminal threats is considered a crime of moral turpitude, which means you could lose any professional licenses or be deported if you are not a citizen

As you can see, the penalties can vary widely based on the specifics of the case.

Defense Options Against Charges of Making Criminal Threats

There are many different defense options that might apply to your case, depending on the specifics. Your attorney might argue that the threat you made was too vague or ambiguous to be considered realistic, that it was not an immediate threat, that the alleged victim was not in a state of fear, that the threat was not verbal or over electronic means, that the fear was unreasonable or not sustained, or that the accusation is overall false.

Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today to Find the Best Way Forward

If you want to know which of the criminal defense options makes the most sense for your case, then we suggest you contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 now for a free legal consultation. We can go over the basics of your case to determine the right way forward. Call us now and we can get started right away.