New Jersey Terroristic Threats Charges Defense Lawyers

If You Are Facing a Charge of Terroristic Threats in New Jersey, You Need Team Law in Your Corner

In New Jersey, many charges of terroristic threats are the result of a domestic dispute while others stem from intense personal conflicts in public or even the workplace.

A charge of terroristic threats can endanger your future in many ways if not dealt with under the guidance of an experienced law firm. If you need to defend a charge of terroristic threats in New Jersey, contact Team Law today so we can help with your case.

New Jersey Terroristic Threats Laws

Terroristic threats are taken very seriously in New Jersey

In New Jersey, the punishment for making terroristic threats depends upon the circumstance and situation.

Applicable law in New Jersey

NJSA 2C:12-3 governs terroristic threats in New Jersey.

2C:12-3  Terroristic threats. 2C:12-3.  Terroristic threats.

a. A person is guilty of a crime of the third degree if he threatens to commit any crime of violence with the purpose to terrorize another or 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 terror or inconvenience. A violation of this subsection is a crime of the second degree if it occurs during a declared period of national, State or county emergency.  The actor shall be strictly liable upon proof that the crime occurred, in fact, during a declared period of national, State or county emergency.  It shall not be a defense that the actor did not know that there was a declared period of emergency at the time the crime occurred.

b.A person is guilty of a crime of the third degree if he threatens to kill another with the purpose to put him in imminent fear of death under circumstances reasonably causing the victim to believe the immediacy of the threat and the likelihood that it will be carried out.

Intent is critically important in a charge of terroristic threats

There needs to be intent behind any terroristic threat for it to be governed by the applicable statute (law) in New Jersey, NJSA 2C:12-3. Absent this intent – this purpose – the statement is not considered a terroristic threat in New Jersey.

Possible Defenses to Terroristic Threats Charges in New Jersey

In a terroristic threats case in New Jersey, the burden is on the prosecution to prove that all of the qualifications have been met under the statute. 

An experienced terroristic threats defense firm, such as Team Law, may set forth evidence that you never possessed intent to cause fear or terror in others because of your statement. Further, a skilled legal team will challenge evidence and cast doubt as to whether it was reasonable for the other party or parties to take your statement seriously. This is often done in examining the context of the statements and the relationship between the defendant and the parties to whom the statements were directed.

Depending upon the evidence in your case, defense counsel may argue that the party to whom your statements were made did not believe it in the moment. Finally, there may be an opportunity to refute any evidence that the statement was actually made at all or was made by you. 

As defenses to terroristic threats charges can be complex, it is very important to contact an experienced New Jersey terroristic threats legal team as soon as possible once you are charged with the offense.

Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Terroristic Threats Defense Lawyers to Discuss Options Today

If you have been charged with a terroristic threats crime in New Jersey you need to act quickly to allow yourself as much time as possible to build a viable defense to the charges. Contact Team Law today and we will fight for your rights as an individual accused of a serious crime. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Terroristic Threats Defense in New Jersey