New Jersey Terroristic Threat Lawyers

Terroristic threats are taken very seriously in the state of New Jersey

Years ago, if someone cut you off on the highway, or you engaged in trash talk with a rival at your child’s football game, for example, heated words could be exchanged with flared tempers, but rarely did the police get involved. In the post 911 era, however, threatening to “punch someone’s lights out” could land you in jail, facing the very serious charge of terroristic threats.

There are three conditions that need to be fulfilled in order to be found guilty of committing the offense of terroristic threats:

1. 1. Making a threat

1. 1. Threat must be to commit a violent offense against another individual

1. 1. The purpose must be to “terrorize” or should be in reckless disregard the reaction of the third party.

If any of these three conditions are not met, more than likely an individual cannot be convicted of the offense of terroristic threats. Further, the threat to “kill” someone must also make the other person believe that threat can be carried out. Therefore, if you threaten to “kill” someone and the other person does not believe your threat, then this cannot be considered a valid ground for such a charge.

Ordinarily the offense of terroristic threat is a third degree crime, however if carried out during a state of emergency, it becomes a second degree crime. It will not matter whether you were aware of the emergency or not.