How long does a person go to jail for terroristic threats?

In Massachusetts a death threat or assault with the intent to kill or murder is felony. The penalty is: "imprisonment in the State prison for not more than ten years or imprisonment in a jail or house of correction for not more than two and one-half years or by a fine of not more than $1,000 or both"(massgenerallaws). I'm not a lawyer but I think it really depends if it stays in a district court or goes to a superior court. As far as punishment it probably depends on the extent, if you just lose it and say to your girlfriend in a fit of rage and passion "I'm going to F** kill you" and don't mean it you might get off with probation or maybe even a CWOF (which seals your record) but if you say to a person "I will tear you apart and F** rip your head off" and you actually mean it then your probably looking at least a couple months in county jail.

Hope this helps

***Disclaimer: Do not take this as legal advice, I'm not a lawyer***