Q: Can I press criminal charges in NJ if someone texted me that I will soon be shot in the face?
My ex was very abusive during our relationship. Both physical and sexual most of which I have proof of. He is very irresponsible and we often have issues because of him saying he is going to do one thing and doesn’t do it. I filed two TROs against him. One I dropped because I couldn’t find a lawyer in time. The other one was denied because the threat wasn’t specific enough.
Recently he sent me images of a man holding his hand in the shape of a gun and putting a silencer on the finger that represented the barrel. He also send me a pic of a man putting on shooting gloves with the words tick tick. Later on that day, he texted me “Don’t worry, soon you will be shot in the face.” I filed a TRO and want to press charges if possible. I live in NJ. We have had heated disputes in which I am usually calm and just trying to get some sense into him. A while ago I texted him “Why don’t you kill yourself? You are a deadbeat and an abuser.” I am scared that this isolated text will hurt my case.
A: From your submission, you already filed a domestic violence complaint against your ex for the recent text messages and presumably, the matter will go to trial, during which presumably your ex will attempt to use that text against you in trial. My suggestion is that you schedule a consultation with an experienced family law attorney to help prepare you for trial and to help you organize your presentation.
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