Threats
Threats cause fear and insecurity. We help you protect yourself and, if you are accused, defend your version of what happened.
What it involves
The offence of making threats (amenazas) means telling someone, in a serious and credible way, that harm will be done to them, their family or their property. It can happen face to face, by phone, by message or on social media. Depending on how serious it is and the context, it is treated as a full criminal offence or as a minor offence.
Is this your case?
- Your ex-partner or a neighbour sends you intimidating messages.
- Someone is demanding money from you and threatening to hurt you if you don't pay.
- You have been reported for something you said during an argument.
- You are receiving threats on social media and don't know who is behind them.
How we help
We help you keep and organise the evidence, file the complaint and apply for protection measures when they are needed. If you are the person reported, we study the context of what happened and defend your version at trial. If the threats come from your partner or a family member, we guide you on the specific procedure that applies. We can help you in Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight, French and English, at our offices in Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Málaga and Barcelona or online, wherever you are in Spain.
When you are also being forced to do something against your will, it may be coercion, and many less serious cases are resolved in a minor offence trial.
Frequently asked questions
- Is anything said in an argument an offence of making threats?
- No. For it to be an offence, the threat has to announce serious and credible harm against you, your family or your property. Many things said in the heat of the moment don't go that far, and others may be a minor offence (delito leve). We assess it in context.
- Can WhatsApp screenshots be used as evidence?
- They can, but you should keep the phone and the original messages without deleting them. In some cases a formal verification or an expert report is useful. We explain how to present the evidence so that it carries weight.
- Someone is threatening to report me to the immigration authorities if I don't do what they ask. Is that a crime?
- It can be if someone uses that threat to get something from you, such as money or giving up your right to make a claim. We advise you discreetly and also review your residence situation.
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We speak Spanish, Arabic, Tamazight (Berber), French and English.