Terroristic Threats in Pennsylvania?
Serious Defense For a Serious Charge!
In Pennsylvania, most people charged for the offense of making criminal terroristic threats are very surprised to learn that their conduct is oftentimes treated more harshly than if they had completed the threat they made. You probably didn't even know that simply threatening someone is a crime in Pennsylvania, but now you are faced with it.
Terrorist Threats are graded as a 1st degree misdemeanor. The charge of terroristic threats is far more broad than what the title would suggest. For example, threatening to physically assault somebody during an argument may be considered a terroristic threat, (1st degree misdemeanor), while the assault itself under Pennsylvania criminal laws may have only been a simple assault. (2nd degree misdemeanor). It is simply put, a threat to commit any crime with intent to terrorize another.
1st degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to five years in prison.
2nd degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to two years in prison.
3rd degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in prison.
- 18 PCSA §2706. Terroristic threats.
(a) Offense defined.--A person commits the crime of terroristic threats if the person communicates, either directly or indirectly, a threat to:
(1) commit any crime of violence with intent to terrorize another;
(2) cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly or facility of public transportation; or
(3) otherwise cause serious public inconvenience, or cause terror or serious public inconvenience with reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience.
(b) Restitution.--A person convicted of violating this section shall, in addition to any other sentence imposed or restitution ordered under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9721(c) (relating to sentencing generally), be sentenced to pay restitution in an amount equal to the cost of the evacuation, including, but not limited to, fire and police response; emergency medical service or emergency preparedness response; and transportation of an individual from the building, place of assembly or facility.
(c) Preservation of private remedies.--No judgment or order of restitution shall debar a person, by appropriate action, to recover from the offender as otherwise provided by law, provided that any civil award shall be reduced by the amount paid under the criminal judgment.
(d) Grading.--An offense under subsection (a) constitutes a misdemeanor of the first degree unless the threat causes the occupants of the building, place of assembly or facility of public transportation to be diverted from their normal or customary operations, in which case the offense constitutes a felony of the third degree.
Having any criminal charge is a serious matter! A terroristic threats conviction on your record could permanently damage your reputation and limit your future opportunities. Consult with an experienced attorney familiar with handling these difficult cases.
Don't delay, your defense starts now! Attorney Jeffrey Veitch has the experience and skill you need and will do everything possible to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Call today to schedule a consultation with Attorney Veitch and protect your future.
