California legal term
threatening to retaliate in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “threatening to retaliate” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “threatening to retaliate” mean in California criminal law?
“threatening to retaliate” means a threat to kidnap or falsely imprison, or to inflict extreme pain, serious bodily injury, or death. (Cal. Penal Code § 261)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.