Under New York Penal Law § 490.20, a terroristic threat occurs when a person threatens to commit a crime of violence with the intent to intimidate, coerce, or cause fear for the safety of others, or to cause public panic. These charges are taken very seriously because they involve threats of violence that can endanger individuals, communities, or public institutions.
These charges frequently arise in situations where the accused never intended to cause fear or disruption, such as:
Because police and prosecutors must treat any perceived threat seriously, arrests often occur quickly—sometimes before the full story is known.
Convictions can result in prison time, fines, probation, and lasting criminal records, making early and experienced legal defense critical.
This statute was enacted after 9/11 and was meant for actual terroristic threats. With the proliferation of the internet and social media, many posts and statements are subject to potential charges of this nature and must be strongly defended.
Terroristic threat charges carry a stigma unlike most other offenses. Even the accusation can affect your employment, education, family, and reputation. Because these cases depend heavily on intent, context, and interpretation, skilled legal representation can make the difference between a felony conviction and a much more favorable outcome.
An experienced criminal defense attorney knows how to analyze digital and verbal communications, gather mitigating evidence, challenge the prosecution’s narrative, and fight to ensure that a misunderstood comment does not destroy your life.
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IS NOT MEANT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF A CONSULTATION WITH AN EXPERIENCED LOCAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY.
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