Does anyone know the law surrounding someone who makes death threats against another person?

Question

What action can be taken against someone who makes death threats?

The threats are in writing and I am in the UK.

Answer 1

I'm a UK cop.
Firstly, I'm guessing there's more too this then some random guy sending you written death threats.
But in any case, go to your local Police station with the letters. make copies beforehand but give the real ones to the Police.
For the offence of "Threats to kill" to be complete, you need to know or believe the threat will be carried out. To prove this you need to show that you believed the threats would be carried out, ie, you had locks changed, installed security lighting, got a dog, left town, whatever.
Or, if this is not the case, there is an offence of harassment. For this to be complete, the person committing the harassment must have i) Committed a harassment against you on two or more occassions, and ii) They must know that their actions are wrong and amount to harassment. This is normally covered by the Police contacting the person and telling them in writing that if they continue their "course of conduct" then they are committing the offence and liable to arrest.
If this is the path you wish to take, go to your local Police Station. otherwise, sort the problem out "in house".

Answer 2

You must be specific. All states have different laws and titles. Also, what are the circumstances? Generally, its an assault by threats ( a misdemeanor). Usually ignored unless it is reported by the target of the threat(s). Still not much will be done other than a cop visiting the threat maker and giving him/her a warning. Now, if any steps have been taken in furtherance of the threat made (like buying a gun, or planning with another person), things get more serious.

Answer 3

You need to keep the letters and report the matter to the police. They will take a statement and seize the letters as evidence. If there is a senders name and address or if you know who they are coming from, depending on the amount of letters you have received, the background and the type of threats, the police might issue a first case harassment warning - although with threats to kill i would hope that would not be the case. They should be looking to arrest, interview and charge the letter writer.

From there on,it will be up to the courts to decide on the penalty.

Answer 4

In reality, unless you can prove it the police won't do anything. You need a letter or something, even then they might just go round to have a chat to warn them off.
It takes persistant harassment for the other person to end up in court and then all you get is a court injunction. (restraining order). All that means is that if they get caught again they go to prison.
Its very difficult to get the legal system to take this seriously; you might be better off going to see a solicitor. They'll advise you to keep an event diary; times, places, witnesses and what happened. Record any phone calls.

Answer 5

Well Death treats to one or more people can be called an act of terrorism which can lead to life in jail. Plus there are such things as pre meditated aggression acts. where the person has thought of how to and what to do which can lead in a long jail term. But if its just someone making death threats than those are Harrasment charges, which can ultimently lead to the pre meditated assult. So If you know someone doing it, or your doing it its best to seek help, becuse you never know what kind of things could happen to you.

Answer 6

Here in the U.S. its called communicating a threat and an arrest can be made if the conditions of intent are met. Call your local law enforcement agency and report this if this has happened to you, that way it is at least on record and find out what the laws in your location are that pertain to such threats.

Answer 7

Bottom line: common sense answer to this question!!

If you believe the threats to be serious, are fearful for your or your families safety... Take yourself and the letters to the nearest police station and ask their advice not ours!!

At the end of the day, If someone is sending you, or someone you know, 'Death Threats': The police are the ones who know the law best, and can act upon it should they deem it necessary!!

Failing that: take them to your solicitor and seek his advice!!

Answer 8

Threats to kill is an offence, you say its in writing, if so do you still have the envelope. Report matter to police and submit both the note and the envelope as evidence as they will contain possibly DNA and fingerprints of the sender. Police will then investigate matter. If the wrinting is in text as in mobile phone, do no delete it, show it to police who will be able to download it. They will need to get in touch with senders mobile telephone supplier within a certain timeframe as phone companies only keep text messages for a certain length of time unlike billing.

Answer 9

Terrorist threats, harrassment, and intent to do physical harm. Small time crimes that usually end up with a restraining order.

Answer 10

From this site? In real life these people go to Jail and get restraining orders put on them.