Uttering Threats is No Laughing Matter

Bite Your Tongue or Get Arrested

Uttering threats is a criminal offence in Canada that can be punishable by jail time. The offence is defined as intentionally making a statement that causes another person to be in fear of serious bodily harm or death. This statement can be verbal, written or through other forms of communication.

When it comes to the punishments for uttering threats, the Criminal Code of Canada states that a person found guilty of this offence can be fined, given a jail sentence of up to five years, or both.

The punishment will depend on the circumstances of the case, and can be more serious if the perpetrator has a previous criminal record or the threat was found to be especially serious.

When it comes to defences, one of the primary ones is that the accused had no intention of causing fear in the other person. This means that they must demonstrate that the statement was not meant to be taken seriously and was made in a joking or sarcastic manner.

Additionally, the accused can argue that the statement was never made or that the statement was made but the accused never intended to carry out the threat. Other defences may also be available depending on the circumstances of the case.

In conclusion, uttering threats is a serious criminal offence in Canada that can lead to fines and jail time. Those accused of this offence may be able to use certain defences to help reduce the severity of the punishment or have the charges dropped altogether. It is important for those accused of this crime to speak to a criminal paralegal to discuss their options and build the strongest possible defence.

Noteworthy, some people argue that the current legal definition of a "threat" is too vague, and that it can be interpreted to criminalize speech that is not actually threatening. They argue that the law should be reformed to better protect freedom of speech.