Greenwich Threat to Harm Lawyer
Depending on the circumstances, a charge of criminal threatening could be classified as a felony and land you in prison for several years upon conviction—in addition to a host of other personal and professional consequences.
A Greenwich threat to harm lawyer could work with you to build a customized and comprehensive defense strategy and pursue a positive resolution to your charges.
What Are the Charges and Consequences for a Threat to Harm?
Most cases involving a threat to harm someone else are classified as threatening in the second degree, which is defined by Connecticut General Statutes §53a-62 as a Class A misdemeanor in most cases, or a Class D felony if a threat is allegedly made against a school, daycare center, church, or religious community center. Under this statute, second-degree threatening can entail any of the following actions:
- Intentionally terrorizing another person by threatening a violent crime
- Recklessly terrorizing another person by threatening a violent act or crime
- Intentionally making another person fear serious injury due to a physical threat
Under C.G.S. §53a-61aa, a threat to harm may be considered a first-degree offense if it involves the use of a firearm or hazardous substance, or if its intent is to cause a building to be evacuated. This offense may be classified as a Class D or Class C felony, again depending on whether certain facilities—as named above—are allegedly targeted.
Depending on how a threat to harm is classified, consequences upon conviction could range from a maximum of $2,000 in fines and a year in jail to $10,000 in fines and a ten-year prison sentence. An experienced Greenwich threat to harm attorney could offer further clarification about the charges a particular defendant is facing and what that might mean for their case.
Can I Contest a Threatening Charge?
Yes, there are many ways to fight a charge of criminal threatening in Connecticut, many of which center around the defendant’s Constitutional right to free speech. For example, one of the key components of an illegal threat to harm is that the threat itself must have been intentional, meaning the defendant intentionally meant to terrorize someone else or reasonably knew their speech would have that effect.
Accordingly, it may be possible for a threat to harm attorney in Greenwich to challenge the prosecution’s argument that the defendant meant to frighten someone else with their speech. If no one was put in fear by what a defendant said, it would typically be protected speech under the First Amendment.
Various other alternatives to criminal prosecution may be available depending on the situation, especially for defendants who have never faced a criminal conviction before. Legal counsel could help an individual accused of threatening harm explore their options for diversionary program, first-time offender programs, and sentences involving community service or probation rather than prison time.
Learn More by Speaking with a Greenwich Threat to Harm Attorney Today
Any allegation that you have threatened somebody else with harm is something you should take seriously. This charge can result in significant penalties even if it is classified as a misdemeanor, and further consequences may result, it is considered a domestic violence offense.
In order to effectively pursue a positive result to your case, you may need help from a seasoned Greenwich threat to harm lawyer. Click here to read our avvo.com client reviews. To begin working toward a positive resolution in your case, call today.