Can you get in trouble for threats over the phone?

California law also makes it a crime to make criminal threats (Penal Code 422) against someone else. Making a threat in a phone call or electronic communication is one of the ways you can violate Penal Code 653m.

What is an interstate threat?

Whoever, with intent to extort from any person, firm, association, or corporation, any money or other thing of value, transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not …

What is the penalty for communicating a threat?

If convicted of the felony, you face up to three years in the California state prison and a maximum $10,000 fine. And if you personally use a deadly or dangerous weapon to communicate your threat, you face an additional and consecutive one-year in the state prison.

What do you do if someone threatens you over the phone?

Get help if you’re being threatened in the U.S.

1) Call the police: 911.
2) While you are still on the phone with the police, text a friend or relative.
3) Try to stay calm.
4) Remember, people who are being racist or violent are not rational.
5) If you speak English, speak in English to those around you.

What is interstate harassment?

It is a federal felony to stalk or harass on military or U.S. territorial lands, including Indian country (18 U.S.C. § 2261A). It is also a federal crime to cross state lines or enter or leave Indian country in violation of a qualifying Protection Order (18 U.S.C. § 2262).

What is interstate crime?

Interstate crimes are crimes that occur across state lines, including: Drug trafficking and/or interdiction. Kidnapping. Firearms violations. Mail fraud or conspiracy of fraud.

What to do if someone threatens you over the phone?

After reaching safety, you can call the police to report the threat. Each state has their own criminal laws against making threats and harassment. If a threat is determined to be credible by the police, then they may be able to arrest the aggressor, who could then face criminal charges for making the threat.

Is phone harassment a crime?

Just one unwelcome call can be harassing, though a single misdial or “wrong number” call might not rise to the level of harassment. In many states, telephone harassment is a criminal misdemeanor and can be more serious when a defendant in a criminal case is harassing the victim.