Legal Definitions - intimidation

In legal terms, intimidation refers to an act or a pattern of conduct directed at a specific person with the intention of causing that individual to feel afraid or to believe they are in danger. The primary goal of intimidation is often to pressure or coerce someone into taking an action they do not wish to take, or to prevent them from exercising a right or privilege.

It's important to understand that for an act to be considered intimidation, the person experiencing it does not necessarily have to prove they were actually terrified. Instead, the law often considers whether a "reasonable person" in similar circumstances would have felt apprehension or fear due to the words, actions, or overall behavior. Depending on the context and severity, intimidation can lead to civil lawsuits or criminal charges, unless the behavior serves a very specific and legitimate legal purpose.

• Example 1: Workplace Coercion

  A supervisor, frustrated with an employee's refusal to work extra hours without pay, begins to make frequent, pointed comments about the employee's performance reviews and job security, even though the employee's work has been satisfactory. The supervisor never explicitly threatens termination but consistently implies that the employee's future at the company is at risk if they don't comply with the "unspoken expectations."

  How it illustrates intimidation: The supervisor's repeated comments and suggestive remarks are a course of conduct directed at the employee. While no direct threat is made, the intent is to cause the employee to fear for their job, thereby coercing them into working unpaid overtime. A reasonable person in that position would likely apprehend fear regarding their employment.

• Example 2: Neighborhood Dispute

  During a disagreement over shared property boundaries, one neighbor starts regularly parking their vehicle in a way that partially blocks the other neighbor's driveway, making it difficult to exit. They also frequently stand at their property line, staring intensely at the other neighbor's house for extended periods, and occasionally make loud, sarcastic comments about "people who don't know their place" whenever the other neighbor is outside.

  How it illustrates intimidation: This scenario involves a series of actions (blocking the driveway, prolonged staring, sarcastic comments) directed at the other neighbor. These behaviors are designed to create a sense of unease, apprehension, and fear, pressuring the neighbor to back down from the property dispute. The cumulative effect of these actions would likely cause a reasonable person to feel intimidated.

• Example 3: Deterring a Witness

  A key witness in a local zoning dispute receives several anonymous letters containing specific details about their children's school and their spouse's workplace. The letters don't contain direct threats of physical harm but subtly suggest that "unfortunate things can happen to families who get involved in other people's business."

  How it illustrates intimidation: The anonymous letters, by revealing private family details and implying potential harm, are directed at the witness to cause them to fear for the safety of their loved ones. The clear intent is to deter the witness from providing testimony or participating in the zoning dispute, which is a prohibited form of intimidation, especially in legal proceedings.