Legal Definitions - terroristic threat

A terroristic threat refers to a statement or action that communicates an intent to commit a violent crime or an act that would cause serious public alarm, with the specific purpose of intimidating a population, coercing a government, or causing widespread fear or disruption.

Unlike a simple threat, a terroristic threat is characterized by its intent to create a broader sense of terror, panic, or to influence public or governmental action through fear. The threatened act often involves violence, property damage, or other actions that could endanger public safety on a significant scale.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a terroristic threat:

• Example 1: An individual posts a message on social media threatening to detonate an explosive device at a major city marathon, causing law enforcement to heighten security and participants to express significant fear and concern.

  Explanation: This constitutes a terroristic threat because the individual's statement communicates an intent to commit a violent act (detonating an explosive) with the clear purpose of causing widespread fear and disruption among a large public gathering and the broader community.

• Example 2: During a heated public meeting, an activist group announces that they will release a dangerous pathogen into the city's ventilation system if their demands for a new environmental policy are not met within 24 hours. This causes immediate panic among attendees and prompts a city-wide emergency response.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates a terroristic threat because the group is threatening an act that would cause widespread harm and panic (releasing a pathogen) with the explicit goal of coercing a governmental body (the city council) into adopting a specific policy through intimidation and fear.

• Example 3: A disgruntled former employee sends anonymous emails to several news outlets, falsely claiming to have contaminated a popular food product sold nationwide, leading to a temporary recall and significant public anxiety about food safety.

  Explanation: Even if the threat is later proven false, the act of communicating an intent to cause widespread harm (contaminating food) with the aim of creating public alarm and economic disruption qualifies as a terroristic threat. The intent to terrorize consumers and damage public trust is key.