Question: What is a threat? What is a false accusation and what are the consequences of doing it?
Answer: A threat can be made by word or by conduct. If a threat is made to cause physical injury to another person or property, that is a class one (1) misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to six (6) months in jail and a $2500 fine. If a threat is made to cause physical injury to another person or property and is done to further a criminal street gang, then that is a class four (4) felony, which is punishable by up to 3.75 years in prison and a $150,000 fine. If it is a first offense then probation is available.
A false accusation is not specifically set out as a violation of the law. There are such crimes as perjury (making a material false statement under oath knowing the statement is false) and unsworn falsification (making a material statement believed to be false to a public servant in connection with an official proceeding) This would be like making a false police report to get someone else in trouble. This is a class two (2) misdemeanor, punishable by up to four months in jail and a $750 fine.
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