In Florida, verbal threats are taken seriously and anyone accused of verbally threatening anyone can be prosecuted under several statutes depending on the nature and context of the threat.
Florida laws regarding verbal threats are designed to protect individuals from threats of violence and to maintain public safety.
Verbal threats that cause fear, harassment, or disruption can lead to significant legal consequences, including criminal charges and penalties.
Most Important Florida Laws Regarding Verbal Threats
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Assault (F.S. 784.011):
In Florida, verbal threats can constitute assault if they create a well-founded fear in the victim that violence is imminent. Assault is defined as an intentional, unlawful threat by word or act to do violence to the person of another, coupled with an apparent ability to do so, and doing some act that creates fear in such other person that such violence is imminent.
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Aggravated Assault (F.S. 784.021):
In Florida, if a verbal threat is made with a deadly weapon or with the intent to commit a felony, it can be charged as aggravated assault, which is a more serious offense than simple assault.
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Written or Electronic Threats (F.S. 836.10):
In Florida, threats made in writing or electronically (such as through text messages, emails, or social media) to kill or do bodily harm to another person are considered a second-degree felony.
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Threats Against Public Officials or Employees (F.S. 836.12):
In Florida, it is a felony to threaten to kill or do bodily harm to a public official or employee, or their family members, due to the performance of their duties.
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Stalking (F.S. 784.048):
Verbal threats across all jurisdictions in Florida can be part of a pattern of behavior that constitutes stalking, which involves willfully, maliciously, and repeatedly following or harassing another person. Aggravated stalking involves making credible threats and is considered a more serious offense.
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Extortion (F.S. 836.05):
Threatening to accuse someone of a crime, to expose any secret or deformity, or to cause bodily harm with the intent to extort money or any pecuniary advantage, is a felony offense in Florida.
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Domestic Violence (F.S. 741.28):
Verbal threats can be considered a form of domestic violence in Florida if they are part of a pattern of behavior that includes physical, emotional, or psychological abuse within a family or household.
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Disorderly Conduct (F.S. 877.03):
Verbal threats that disturb the peace or provoke a violent response can be prosecuted as disorderly conduct in Florida.
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Harassment (F.S. 784.0485):
Repeated verbal threats that cause substantial emotional distress and serve no legitimate purpose can be considered harassment in Florida.
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Terroristic Threats (F.S. 790.163):
In Florida, making threats to commit a crime of violence with the intent to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation, or otherwise to cause serious public inconvenience or terror, is a felony.