Terrorist Threats

An individual is guilty of making a terrorist threat if he/she threatens to commit any crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize another or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror - or - if he/she threatens to commit a crime of violence with the purpose to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly or facility of public transportation or otherwise to cause serious public inconvenience or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such evacuation or inconvenienceIt is not necessary that the victim was terrorized (or that there was actually an evacuation of a building, place of assembly or facility of public transportation).Consequences for the conviction of Terrorist Threat Crime may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Loss of the right to vote
  
• Loss of the right to own a deadly weapon
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Court ordered rehabilitation
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence/mistaken identity
  
• Other

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

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