Are you being charged with criminal threats in Lexington, KY? A Lexington criminal threats lawyer with our team can defend you and work toward a favorable outcome. Criminal threats charges can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the seriousness of the case, and the consequences can be serious.
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers knows how to help people charged with criminal threats. Our Lexington criminal threats lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience. Call our office to schedule a free case evaluation today at (859) 569-4014.
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How Suhre & Associates Can Help if You Are Facing Criminal Threats Charges in Lexington, Kentucky
Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers is one of your best resources if you are facing criminal threats charges. Our attorneys include a team of former police and prosecutors. We leverage our collective experience to provide the highest quality representation.
The Lexington criminal defense attorneys with our law firm have received significant recognitions, including being named National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and a 10.0 Avvo rating.
Every criminal threat case is unique. However, our work usually includes:
- Explaining the charges and potential penalties
- Reviewing evidence
- Filing bond motions
- Negotiating with the prosecutor for dismissal or reduced charges
- Speaking for you at every court hearing
- Filing pretrial motions
- Representing you during trial if necessary
Our first goal is to get the case dismissed if at all possible. Contact our criminal threats lawyers in Lexington, Kentucky, today for a free consultation.
What Are Criminal Threats in Lexington, KY?
In Kentucky, criminal threats charges are referred to as “terroristic threatening” charges. There are three degrees of terroristic threatening offenses. First degree is the most serious, and third degree is the least serious.
First-degree terroristic threatening is when someone makes false statements about placing a weapon of mass destruction at a school, government facility, or workplace. It also includes placing a counterfeit weapon. This charge is a Class C felony.
Second-degree terroristic threatening is usually a Class D felony. It happens when someone threatens a gathering of 3 or more with an act that is likely to cause death or serious physical injury, including with a gun. It also includes making a false statement about a potential threat at a school in order to cause an evacuation, cancel classes, or create fear.
Third-degree terroristic threatening is a Class A misdemeanor. It happens when someone threatens a crime likely to result in death or serious physical injury. It also applies to substantial property damage. It can also occur if someone makes false statements intended to cause an evacuation.
What Is the Punishment for Criminal Threats in Lexington?
Terroristic threatening in the first-degree carries a penalty of 5-10 years in prison. Terroristic threatening in the second-degree carries 1-5 years in prison. Terroristic threatening in the third-degree carries up to a year in jail. However, the penalties can be more severe if there are any aggravating factors present, such as a prior criminal history.
Additionally, a person convicted of criminal threats can be placed on probation. This probation could last months or years, depending on the case. They can also be ordered to pay fines to the court, and there could be other collateral consequences.
The collateral consequences are particularly severe for people convicted of felony criminal threats charges. These could include:
- Loss of housing
- Deportation and visa revocation
- Difficulty finding employment
- Loss of the right to vote
- Loss of the right to own a firearm
- Social stigma
- Permanent criminal records
These effects may impact you long after you are released from jail or prison.
Are There Defenses to Criminal Threats Charges in Lexington?
Yes, there are defenses available to people who are charged with criminal threats in Lexington, KY.
One of the most successful defenses is that the threat was vague. If the alleged threat was vague or ambiguous, the prosecutor cannot show the immediacy required. For example, a threat that something might happen at some unidentified point in the future may not be specific enough to secure a conviction.
Another possible defense is that the threat was a joke or unintentional. If the defendant didn’t intend to threaten, they won’t be convicted. Similarly, if the intended audience wasn’t scared or in fear of death or serious bodily injury, then the defendant likely won’t be convicted.
Additionally, the defendant may have constitutional defenses such as the charges infringing on the right to free speech. Furthermore, there could be unlawful search and seizure issues that result in the exclusion of evidence.
At the end of the day, the prosecutor must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. If your defense attorney can argue that there is insufficient evidence, you’ll walk free.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lexington Criminal Threats Attorneys
You should take your criminal threats charges seriously. If you waste time with the wrong lawyer, you may end up in jail and with a permanent record. Call Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Lexington criminal threats attorney today.
