What must be true for a threat to be actionable under the law?

For a threat to be actionable under the law, it is essential that it conveys the potential for harm that is believable. This means that the threat must be specific enough to instill reasonable fear in the recipient that the threat could be carried out.

Legally, a threat is typically assessed based on the context and the perceived intent of the person making the threat. If the recipient of the threat believes that there is a genuine possibility of harm occurring, the threat can be taken seriously and thus become actionable. This belief can stem from the nature of the threat, the credibility of the person making it, and any accompanying circumstances that suggest the threat is legitimate.

The other options do not necessarily fulfill the criteria for a threat to be actionable. For example, public communication alone does not validate a threat if it lacks the element of believability or potential harm. Similarly, lawful authority does not inherently make a threat actionable unless it is credible and conveys a genuine risk. Lastly, while a physical act may accompany some threats, it is not a strict requirement for a threat to be considered actionable as long as the threat itself is plausible and threatening enough to warrant legal action.