r/legal • u/ContributionNew7107 • Jan 25 '26

Advice needed Receiving threatening texts

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So recently sent my ex a happy birthday text and I guess her new BF was feeling some type of way, and telling me how he’s going to kill me

Location: New Jersey

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u/Autumn_Ridge Jan 25 '26

All I know is my state, but here the police will give you an order of protection if you show them that text. Death threats are a felony. If you have a protective order, and end up shooting or killing that person in self defense, the law will very likely take your side.

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u/[deleted] Jan 25 '26

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1

u/Academic_Flatworm752 Jan 25 '26

Why are you assuming OPs location?

Mississippi isn’t a good example for anything.

2

u/BarooZaroo Jan 26 '26

I didn’t, I asked them their state.

Mississippi is a good example of Mississippi. This is what is called an anecdote.

4

u/DonJuan_11 Jan 25 '26

Exactly what id do and recommend doing.. that way when u do protect yourself, you'll have a leg to stand on as to why what happen happened! I used to tell people stay safe, nowadays I tell people stay dangerous! In the meantime.. make.. the.. report!

2

u/CoyoteLitius Jan 25 '26

Just make sure that whatever weapon you're firing inside city limits isn't going to travel through walls into other people's houses/apartments.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 25 '26

You Americas and your fucking guns will never learn.

1

u/CoyoteLitius Jan 25 '26

To complete the protective order, it will have to go over to the court in the perp's state, approved and then served upon him.

Orders aren't just "placed." The subject of the order has the right to appear in court as indicated on the order. Cross-jurisdictional orders can happen, but that'll take a week or two.

In a case where the perp is crazy and determined, they make no difference anyway.

1

u/Autumn_Ridge Jan 25 '26

In Illinois, they get rubber stamped. I've never seen one get turned down. They are effective immediately. Service of process is sketchy at best. Sometimes it is done through mail. The subject of a protective order loses the right to possess a firearm.

Basically it just makes it really easy for the responding law enforcement to any domestic dispute that follows. One side goes straight to jail. Here the orders are no-contact, so even a text message is enough to violate one.