Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

DUI and Threat

A 20 year old male was in an accident. Both he and the other party were at fault. The other party caused the accident, however he was speeding and had two beers an hour before the accident took place. After the accident occured the male got out of his vehicle and walked over to the other party's vehicle. He was upset and excited, he started cursing and yelling at the driver and then said ''If you weren't a girl I would kick You ass!''

He was then charged for a DUI and Terrorist Threat. My question: Is this a Valid charge of a terrorist threat for this Statement made?


Asked on 11/30/03, 1:52 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

H.M. Torrey The Law Offices of H.M. Torrey

Re: DUI and Threat

no, from the facts given so far. if the person who made the "threat" qualified the threat signifying that a "girl" was needed in order for such an assault and/or battery to occur, the threat would not be actionable per se. if you would like a free phone consultation on this matter, email us directly with your contact information today.

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Answered on 11/30/03, 5:16 am
Robert Miller Robert L. Miller & Associates, A Law Corporation

Re: DUI and Threat

Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, most prosecutors are using terrorist threat charges everywhere they think it may fit, either to give them leverage or to show they are being aggressive on crime. This is a crime that has been used in the past 5 years in an astounding number of cases everywhere the prosecutor thinks that "intent to terrorize" exists.

However, as Mr. Torrey pointed out, you don't have an unqualified threat here -- the statement was "IF" you were a girl..., defeating the intent element of Penal Code section 422, Terrorist Threats, in my opinion.

If you'd like more information, have further questions, or think you need legal representation, I'd be happy to discuss this further. Please contact me via email at [email protected]. It's my pleasure to help in any way that I can.

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Answered on 11/30/03, 8:06 am


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