Which statement is not true about credible threats?

• A. Verbal threat
• B. Nonverbal threat
• C. Threat that places someone in reasonable fear
• D. Threat that places no fear

Answer: (D)

A credible threat is any communicated intent to harm that a reasonable person would interpret as likely to be carried out and that would place the recipient in fear of imminent harm. Verbal threats fit this, as words can express clear intent. Nonverbal threats fit as well, since gestures, gestures with a weapon, or other actions can convey the same intent. The crucial element is the recipient’s reasonable fear of harm; if there is no fear, the threat does not meet the standard of a credible threat. So the statement that a threat places no fear is not true because credibility hinges on the fear it would induce.