The phrase “terroristic threat” certainly makes most people thing of some of the most horrific acts of violence - often committed for political or religious reasons. But in Texas, a terroristic threat charge could be something as simple as an empty threat made from one person to another. The reality is that terroristic threat can mean many different things and can be punished anywhere from a Class B Misdemeanor all the way up to a Third-Degree Felony.

If you’ve been accused of Terroristic Threat in Texas, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney representing you. Attorney Matt DeLuca knows how to properly conduct a thorough and careful review of the evidence and defend against felony and misdemeanor terroristic threat criminal charges.

What are the possible punishments for Terroristic Threat?

• Class B Misdemeanor - up to 180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine

• Class A Misdemeanor - up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine

• State Jail Felony - 180 days to 2 years in state jail and up to a $10,000 fine

• Third-Degree Felony - 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine

Texas Penal Code § 22.07 - Terroristic Threat

(a) A person commits an offense if he threatens to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to:
(1) cause a reaction of any type to his threat by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies;
(2) place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury;
(3) prevent or interrupt the occupation or use of a building, room, place of assembly, place to which the public has access, place of employment or occupation, aircraft, automobile, or other form of conveyance, or other public place;
(4) cause impairment or interruption of public communications, public transportation, public water, gas, or power supply or other public service; (5) place the public or a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury; or
(6) influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state.

(b) An offense under Subsection (a)(1) is a Class B misdemeanor.

(c) An offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a Class B misdemeanor, except that the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if the offense:
(1) is committed against a member of the person's family or household or otherwise constitutes family violence; or
(2) is committed against a public servant.

(c-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(2), an offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a state jail felony if the offense is committed against a person the actor knows is a peace officer or judge.

(d) An offense under Subsection (a)(3) is a Class A misdemeanor, unless the actor causes pecuniary loss of $1,500 or more to the owner of the building, room, place, or conveyance, in which event the offense is a state jail felony.

(e) An offense under Subsection (a)(4), (a)(5), or (a)(6) is a felony of the third degree.

Depending on the specific allegations, the range of punishment for Terroristic Threat in Texas could be anywhere from probation to 10 years in prison.

Contact Houston Criminal Defense Attorney Matt DeLuca at (713) 429-4400 to discuss your case today.