I’ve been charged with Uttering Threats. What do I need to know?

You commit the crime of Uttering Threats if you threaten to:

• hurt or kill someone, including psychologically hurting someone
• damage someone’s property, including their pets or animals

A threat can be

• spoken
• written, including online or on social media
• suggested by your actions, for example making a throat slashing gesture

The maximum sentence for Uttering Threats to hurt or kill someone is:

• 2 years in jail if the Crown proceeds summarily
• 5 years in prison if the Crown proceeds by indictment

The maximum sentence for Uttering Threats to damage someone’s property is:

• 2 years in jail