What Determines Terroristic Threat Charge in Pennsylvania

In order to have real terroristic threat charges in Pennsylvania brought up against you, the threat itself has to contain collective components that are specific to the crime. Many people may think that because they are a citizen of the United States that they can simply say what they want to in public, being that in this country we have Freedom of Speech. While that is true, it’s important that legal residents know what the limitations are and what is considered unlawful.

If you make a written or verbal public statement that very reasonably threatens to kill someone, to seriously hurt someone, or one that promises that a large amount of property will be damaged, then there is a good chance that you will receive terroristic threat charge in Pennsylvania. Not only here, but in every State in the nation these types of threat are illegal. The federal and state laws on these types of horrible threats vary extensively, but what constitutes this crime is the level of specificity.

To put it plainly, if a public threat contains a present attack or one that is to come, then it will likely be seen as a terroristic threat. In some States, a terroristic threat charge can be brought up against a person if the public actually widely feels emotionally terrified. Still, in most cases, it is the actions of the person making the threat that will make it real. In Pennsylvania, a person charged with making a threat has to have caused a severe public disruption with reckless disregard to the risks that were involved with the terrorizing statement that they made out in public.

These types of threats are not funny and have the potential to really scare a community to the extreme. That being said, if you are thinking of trying to make one as a joke, it would behoove you to forget about it. If you are under 21 and make one of these threats on school property, you will likely have to pay any restitution costs that came about as a result of the threat. And, you will lose your driver’s license. If you are found guilty of terroristic threat charges in Pennsylvania, it will be labeled as a first degree misdemeanor and you can receive up to 5 years in prison.

If you need more information or have been charged with terroristic threats please feel free to contact us at 215-833-0133.