Everyday arguments and confrontations can turn into serious legal matters when the State accuses you of terroristic threats. Although many of these cases involve domestic violence issues, they can also arise from other incidents and can even be brought against you during a period of national, state, or county emergency. Regardless of the circumstances, these charges carry severe penalties and should be taken very seriously. Having a dedicated and experienced New Jersey terroristic threats lawyer on your side is critical to the success of your case.
In order for the State to charge you with this offense, they must prove three essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
The accused made a threat to commit a violent crime.
The threat was made with the purpose to terrorize or with reckless disregard for the risk of causing terror.
The victim reasonably believed the threat would be carried out.
Whether or not you believe that what you said was actually a threat will be determined by your attorney as they will investigate the details of your case. A terroristic threat could be anything from a direct and specific threat to physically injure someone or to destroy their property to a more generalized statement such as "punching somebody's lights out" during an angry fit of temper. A terroristic threats lawyer will work diligently to show that your words were not intended to terrorize or were taken out of context.
Terroristic threats are considered third-degree crimes and carry a possible prison term of 3-5 years along with significant fines. In some situations, these threats may be elevated to second-degree charges if they were made during a state of emergency and carried out with the intent or reckless disregard to cause fear and evacuation of a place of assembly, building, or public transport. An experienced terroristic threats lawyer can argue against the elevation of charges based on the specifics of the incident.
Even if you are convicted of this offense, you might have a strong case for a dismissal or reduction of the charges. If you have been charged with terroristic threats, it is important that you contact an experienced New Jersey terroristic threats lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest, challenge any inconsistencies in the evidence, and fight to protect your rights.
Your attorney knows that it is not fair to punish you for words that were taken out of context or misunderstood and will do everything possible to get your case dismissed or reduced before trial. If you qualify for Pretrial Intervention (PTI), your lawyer will work to get your charges dismissed upon completion of the program. A skilled terroristic threats lawyer can guide you through the PTI process and advocate on your behalf.
You must have an aggressive New Jersey terroristic threats defense team on your side to help you avoid the severe penalties associated with this crime. Contact our firm today to discuss your case with an experienced terroristic threats lawyer and learn more about how we can help you.
A conviction for terroristic threats is a serious crime in New Jersey and can carry significant penalties. It is an indictable offense of the third degree and, if you are convicted, you could face up to five years in state prison and fines of up to $15,000. Additionally, having a criminal record for this type of charge can negatively affect your life in many ways. You should contact an experienced New Jersey terroristic threats lawyer right away if you have been charged with this offense.
It may seem like a stretch that someone could be charged for making a terroristic threat, but it happens often. Usually, these cases arise out of an argument or confrontation that escalates into a physical altercation, but they can also be the result of a domestic violence incident or even a misunderstanding in the workplace or between perfect strangers. The consequences of a terroristic threats conviction can be severe, and it is crucial to fight these charges as aggressively as possible with the help of a knowledgeable terroristic threats lawyer.
In order for a person to be convicted of a terroristic threat, they must be accused of making a verbal or written threat against another individual that causes them to fear physical harm to themselves, their family members, friends, or associates. These threats can be made in a variety of contexts and can involve a wide range of acts, including the destruction of property. The words used in the threat can be spoken, communicated via email or text message, or even implied through body language. An experienced terroristic threats lawyer can help you understand the nuances of these charges.
Unlike some other types of crimes, there is no “grand jury” involved in these cases, and they will be prosecuted by the County Prosecutor’s Office. In addition to being charged with a terroristic threat, the defendant may also be subjected to a temporary or final restraining order hearing in Superior Court as part of their criminal case. A skilled terroristic threats lawyer will navigate these legal challenges on your behalf.
A defendant may be eligible to apply for pretrial intervention if they are a first-time offender and are charged with a third-degree crime. If they are accepted into the PTI program and successfully complete it, their criminal case will be dismissed. A terroristic threats lawyer can assist in applying for PTI and increasing the chances of acceptance into the program.
If you are convicted of terroristic threats, you will be saddled with a permanent criminal record and may have trouble obtaining employment or housing in the future. You should seek the help of an experienced New Jersey terroristic threats lawyer immediately to build a strong defense in your case. An attorney with experience in handling these charges can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
A terroristic threats lawyer is ready to help you fight your terroristic threats charges. Contact a lawyer today to schedule a free consultation. These cases are taken very seriously, and an attorney will work hard to protect your rights. By analyzing the evidence in your case, a terroristic threats lawyer can determine whether there is any way to have these charges dismissed. Lawyers with extensive knowledge of New Jersey law are prepared to use their experience to help you achieve a positive outcome in your case.
Under New Jersey law, the mere threat of violence is treated just as seriously as actual acts of violence. Because of the serious legal ramifications that can come with conviction, it is important to hire an experienced terroristic threats lawyer to fight these charges. A terroristic threats lawyer can challenge the evidence in your case and fight for you to get these charges dismissed or reduced. Call a terroristic threats lawyer today for a consultation with a lawyer who can defend you against these allegations.
New Jersey Statute 2C:12-3 governs terroristic threats offenses, which are typically categorized as third degree felonies punishable by three to five years in prison and fines of up to $15,000. However, under certain circumstances, this crime can be elevated to a second degree crime, resulting in a minimum of 10 years in prison and higher fines. These cases involve alleged terroristic threats made during a period of national, state or county emergency.
The law defines the term “terroristic threats” as threatening to commit crimes of violence or to cause evacuations, serious public inconvenience or both in order to terrorize another person. Prosecutors have to prove each of these elements beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict you of a terroristic threats offense. The job of an aggressive terroristic threats lawyer is to cast doubt on any and all of these elements. If a terroristic threats lawyer can show that the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof in this regard, then your case will be won.
In addition to proving the above elements, prosecutors also have to prove that you had the specific intent to terrorize or inflict serious public inconvenience. This is known as mens rea, and it is one of the hardest requirements to prove in criminal cases. To satisfy this element, the prosecution has to prove that you acted with purpose and awareness that what you were doing was wrong. This is a difficult standard, and a terroristic threats lawyer will work to show that you did not have this specific intent, or that it was not committed with the required level of awareness and purpose.
Terroristic threats charges are often brought up during domestic violence situations that escalate quickly, and they may overlap with restraining order proceedings. However, this type of offense is not confined to this setting and can be found in many other types of disputes that could lead to a criminal charge.
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