Threats of Violence (formerly called Terroristic Threats) is a serious, felony-level offense. Unfortunately, many people are surprised to learn — all too late — that careless expressions of anger or rage can qualify as a felony-level crime. Minnesota’s Threats of Violence law is broad and includes multiple forms of conduct. However, the offense is always context specific, and context often plays an important role in your defense.
A conviction for threats of violence can result in a prison sentence and harsh collateral consequences. If you have been arrested, charged, or questioned by police for making threats of violence, you need to speak with a Minnesota criminal defense attorney, now! Contact the Balmer Law Office for a free, confidential case evaluation. The Balmer Law Office is available via its 24-hour hotline: 612-326-4175.
Based in Minnetonka, near Hopkins, the firm practices in Hennepin County and throughout Minnesota.
Minnesota Threats of Violence Law
You can be charged with the crime of Threats of Violence for three different kinds of acts. The first type is when a person threatens
“directly or indirectly, to commit any crime of violence with purpose to terrorize another or to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, vehicle 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.”
(The term crime of violence is separately defined; generally speaking a crime of violence is a felony-level offense of an act that could cause substantial bodily harm to another.) A conviction for this form of a Threats of Violence offense carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The second type occurs when a person
“communicates to another with purpose to terrorize another, or in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror, that explosives or an explosive device or any incendiary device is present at a named place or location.”
You can be charged with this crime whether or not an incendiary device is actually present. A conviction for this offense carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $3,000 fine.
The last form of the offense occurs when someone
“displays, exhibits, brandishes, or otherwise employs a replica firearm or a BB gun in a threatening manner, and: (1) causes or attempts to cause terror in another person; or (2) acts in reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror in another person.”
A conviction for this form of the crime carries a maximum sentence of 366 days in prison and a $3,000 fine.
Consequences of a Threats of Violence Conviction
Loss of Right to Possess a Firearm
Threats of Violence is a felony-level offense and a crime of violence. A felony conviction results in immediate revocation of your right to possess a firearm.
Deportation
A conviction, or other disposition resolving the case, may result in immigration consequences for both undocumented aliens and lawful permanent residents.
Loss of Right to Vote
In Minnesota, convicted felons may not vote or serve on a jury.
Loss of Professional License Difficulty Getting a Job
A Threats of Violence conviction will likely result in the loss of a professional license and will obviously make it more difficult to obtain employment.
Contact the Balmer Law Office — Minnesota Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or a loved one has been arrested, charged, or questioned by police in relation to making threats of violence anywhere in Minnesota, contact the Balmer Law Office for a free, confidential case evaluation. Minneapolis criminal defense attorney David Balmer will review your case and discuss your rights and possible defenses to the charges. The Balmer Law Office is available via its 24-hour hotline: 612-326-4175.
