Verbal Threats And Harassment

Summary

In New York, verbal threats can be considered harassment if they cause alarm or serious annoyance. Hypothetical threats may not lead to charges unless they cause significant distress or are part of a pattern.

Full Conversation

Is it a crime if someone said I'm going to give you a wedgie while I am eating at McDonald's
Hey Patrick! In New York, making a threat like that could be considered harassment if it causes you to feel alarmed or seriously annoyed. If the threat was more severe, it might even be considered menacing. Did the person actually follow through with the threat or was it just verbal?
If it was hypothetical
If it's hypothetical, I can provide general information. In New York, harassment or menacing charges usually require specific actions or credible threats that cause fear or alarm. A verbal threat alone might not always lead to charges unless it causes significant distress or is part of a pattern of behavior.
Is there anything else specific you want to know about similar situations?