How much trouble could you face for threatening a judge in SC? Here’s what the law says

While once thought to be untouchable symbols of justice in the U.S., judges today face an increasing number of threats due to making unpopular legal decisions.

In a study with over 400 judges, more than half of them reported receiving physical threats and verbal attacks, which sometimes extended to their families, according to The National Judicial College.

A recent drop in public trust, confidence in the courts and attacks on the Judiciary by high-profile government officials led to this new status quo.

In 2025, there were 564 confirmed threats against federal judges, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. So far in 2026, 129 judges out of approximately 2,500 active judges have been named as threatened on a protective investigation.

The U.S. Marshals Service reported that serious threats to federal judges have doubled since 2021, a pattern that continues at the state court level across the country.

These threats don’t come without consequences, however.

As the number of threats increases, so does the number of criminal cases against aggressors. In 2025, 133 federal cases for threats against judges and other public officials were recorded, setting a record.

So what happens if someone attempts to get in the way of a judge’s work in SC? Here’s what the law says:

SC Code of Laws

The South Carolina Code of Laws has a specific section that deals with the intimidation of SC court officials, jurors or witnesses.

Under this section, it is unlawful to intimidate any court official by threat or force to “destroy, impede or attempt to obstruct or impede the administration of justice in any court.”

Anyone who violates this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.

If a judge believes a threat against them is credible, it doesn’t matter if the speaker doesn’t plan on carrying out the action. Criminal charges can still be brought up.

Federal consequences for threats

Threatening a state or local judge can leave you to face federal charges if the threat is made across state lines through certain forms of communication, like phone calls, emails or social media. That means posting something on Facebook, even if you meant it as a joke, can make you face some serious trouble with the law.

And federal consequences are no laughing matter.

According to the U.S. Code, simply making a threat towards a judge, whether it was said in court, through social media or in writing, can land someone up to six years in federal prison.

If the threat involves physical violence, such as throwing something at a judge, the maximum sentence goes up to 20 years. Life in prison is on the table if kidnapping or attempted murder is threatened, in extreme cases.