Death threat

From ArticleWorld

A death threat is a threat made against a person's life, and is usually accomplished through the personal threat, sending of death threat letters or emails.

Death threats are used to frighten helpless victim into agreeing to perform an act or to refrain from performing an act.

Targets

Everyone is vulnerable and can become a target of death threats. However there are people who have a higher risk of getting death threats, depending on their occupation or status in life. Among those that are likely to be the target of death threats are:

1. Corporate managers who are in the direct line of hiring and firing employees may be the target of death threats coming from employees who may have been indiscriminately or even legally laid off.
2. Members of the media are also vulnerable to getting death threats because of the nature of their work. Most reporters are threatened with death by people or organizations that are negatively affected by their news reports.
3. advocates of any cause are often the target of death threats, especially if they have establish a battle against crime syndicates or even legitimate groups that may suffer as a result of their advocacies.

Threatening another with harm or injury is a crime. The making of a death threat can be related to the crime of assault, the latter being a threat to inflict injury or harm to another. A death threat can also be related to the crime of blackmail. The latter being the crime of threatening another to act or not perform an act, or else face the risk of a ruined reputation or the possibility of physical injury.

Requisites

To be considered a valid death threat, the person making the threat must be aware of the words he is using and of the consequences of his actions. It must also be shown that there is a serious intention on the part of offender, to fulfill the threat.

It is not relevant whether or not the person making the threat is capable of executing the threat. The offender's intentions or motive is also deemed unimportant in the prosecution of the crime.

A supposed death threat must be evaluated as to the character of the person making the threat and as to the manner that the threat was spoken or written.

The law however distinguishes the unlawful making of a death threat to a lawful or valid death threat. A death threat issued by an owner against a trespasser is considered valid. A death threat made by another person in self defense is also lawful, provided such person is in imminent danger.