Do text message threats constitute a crime?

Legal analysis: Text message threats generally cannot constitute a crime. If the abuse or intimidation of others is egregious, it will constitute the crime of provoking trouble and be convicted and sentenced. If the circumstances are minor, administrative penalties will be imposed in accordance with the "Public Security Management Punishment Law".

Legal basis: Article 293 of the "Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China" Whoever commits any of the following acts of provocation and disturbing social order shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than five years, criminal detention or surveillance :

(1) Beating others at will, the circumstances are abominable;

(2) Chasing, intercepting, insulting, and intimidating others, the circumstances being abominable;

( 3) Forcibly taking or arbitrarily damaging or occupying public or private property, the circumstances are serious;

(4) Making trouble in public places, causing serious disorder in public places.

Whoever gathers others to commit the acts mentioned in the preceding paragraph multiple times and seriously disrupts social order shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than five years but not more than ten years, and may also be fined.