Wilton Threatening Lawyer 

Tough and aggressive language is a part of society. People slip into speech habits and often use terms in figurative sense that they would never mean to be taken literally. Unfortunately, if you use threatening language at the wrong place and time, you could get arrested for the crime of threatening.

Although many people may not realize it, threatening is a serious criminal offense with penalties that include the potential for incarceration, heavy fines, and onerous restraining orders that prohibits you from contacting your spouse and children. That is why it is important to contact a Wilton threatening lawyer. A qualified harassment attorney could build a solid defense for you.

Criminal Threatening in the Second-Degree

A person may be convicted of second degree threatening in one of three ways under §53a-62 of the state criminal code. First, they would be considered to have violated the law if they intentionally use a physical threat to make another person believe that they face immediate danger of physical harm.

Second, if a person intentionally threatens to commit a violent crime in order to terrorize another, then that person would have committed threatening in the second degree. Finally, if a person threatens to commit a violent crime and makes the threat with reckless disregard as to whether it would cause terror, then that threat also would violate the statute.

What Are The Penalties for Threatening in the Second-Degree?

An arrest for second-degree threatening under CGS 53a-62 is treated as a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.  If the threats are on school grounds, then the charges rise to a Class D felony.

It is important to be aware in that most cases involving criminal threatening, courts will implement restraining / protective orders as a condition of release. Failure to comply with an order is considered a separate felony offense in so it is important to understand the terms of the protective order completely.

What Is Criminal Threatening in the First-Degree?

A person may be arrested for first-degree threatening if, when making a threat that would otherwise be treated as second-degree threatening, the presence of a gun or other firearm is stated, shown or suggested.

Another way to get arrested in Wilton for first-degree threatening is when a person threatens to commit a violent crime or a crime using a hazardous substance if the threat is made with the intent to cause evacuation of a public place. Either specific intent to cause evacuation or reckless disregard of the likelihood of causing evacuation are sufficient to constitute a violation.

Penalties for a Threatening Arrest

Under Connecticut law, first-degree threatening is considered a felony offense. Most often, it is treated as a Class D felony, carrying up to five years of prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

When the offense is committed on school property or at a daycare or educational facility, the act of threatening is considered more serious and the crime becomes a Class C felony. The maximum sentence increases to ten years and the fine can go as high as $10,000. A Wilton threatening lawyer could attempt to mitigate the penalties that an individual may face.

Contacting a Wilton Threatening Criminal Attorney

If you are facing charges for threatening under CGS 53a-62, talk to a Wilton threatening lawyer who could help you avoid mistakes in court, and begin working for you right away toward the optimum outcome in your case. Work with a consult a skilled attorney that could advocate for you.