In a joint effort to combat violent threats against justices, the FBI has joined forces with Colorado law enforcement officials. The FBI's involvement primarily revolves around assisting local law enforcement in identifying potential federal violations. Under Colorado law, making a threat against a judge or an elected member of the assembly is considered a class six felony, categorized as an act of retaliation only if it is deemed a credible threat.
Law enforcement faces several challenges in addressing these threats. Firstly, they need to identify individuals behind the threatening messages, which are often made under aliases or screen names. However, the FBI is known for their expertise in this area. Secondly, they must conduct a thorough threat assessment to determine the credibility and intention of the threat. It is important to distinguish between idle venting and real, actionable threats. Unfortunately, history has shown that not all online threats are made by the individuals who intend to carry them out. Some individuals may simply be lurkers in these forums and message boards, while others may decide to act on their own accord.
