Threat of Violence among Utah Teens

It isn’t uncommon for Utah teens to witness an argument at school where an occasionally threat of violence can be heard between students. While the majority of the time these exchanges end up being empty threats, they can still be bring about criminal charges and should be avoided.

Words of anger

When a threat of violence is said in a moment of anger, it does not always mean the person plans on carrying that threat out. Teens especially are often unable to express their anger responsibly and may end up saying things they would regret later. If a threat of violence is made, it can quickly get out of hand if it is followed by any action that would cause the other party to believe that the threat is imminent.

Threat of violence

Utah Code 76-5-107 states that a threat of violence is a class B misdemeanor and defines that violation as when:

a) “the person threatens to commit any offense involving bodily injury, death, or substantial property damage, and acts with intent to place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury, substantial bodily injury, or death; or

b) The person makes a threat, accompanied by a show of immediate force of violence, to do bodily injury to another.”

Empty threats count too

Utah Code 76-5-107 also warns that a threat of violence “may be express[ed] or implied” and that it doesn’t matter if the person making the threat of violence “did not attempt to or was incapable of carrying out threat”, they can still face criminal penalties.

Words can hurt

Teens need to be aware that words can hurt, not only the person they are directed at but also for the person speaking them. For minors who are facing charges for something they said or did, contact a juvenile defense attorney.