New Jersey criminal charge
Terroristic threats in New Jersey
Terroristic threats is a criminal offense under New Jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3. Its classification is not fixed: New Jersey assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3.
What is the penalty for terroristic threats in New Jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Terroristic threat - crime of violence (base) — Applies when a person threatens to commit any crime of violence with purpose to terrorize, cause evacuation, cause serious public inconvenience, or in reckless disregard of causing such terror or inconvenience.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $15,000 (Terroristic threat - crime of violence (base) — Applies when a person threatens to commit any crime of violence with purpose to terrorize, cause evacuation, cause serious public inconvenience, or in reckless disregard of causing such terror or inconvenience.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 10 years (Terroristic threat - during declared emergency — Applies when the subsection a. violation occurs during a declared period of national, State, or county emergency.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $150,000 (Terroristic threat - during declared emergency — Applies when the subsection a. violation occurs during a declared period of national, State, or county emergency.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Threat to kill — Applies when a person threatens to kill another with purpose to instill imminent fear of death under circumstances reasonably causing belief in the immediacy and likelihood of the threat being carried out.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to $15,000 (Threat to kill — Applies when a person threatens to kill another with purpose to instill imminent fear of death under circumstances reasonably causing belief in the immediacy and likelihood of the threat being carried out.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
Applies to current.
How is terroristic threats classified in New Jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terroristic threat - crime of violence (base) | Crime of the Third Degree | Applies when a person threatens to commit any crime of violence with purpose to terrorize, cause evacuation, cause serious public inconvenience, or in reckless disregard of causing such terror or inconvenience. | N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3undefined |
| Terroristic threat - during declared emergency | Crime of the Second Degree | Applies when the subsection a. violation occurs during a declared period of national, State, or county emergency. | N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3undefined |
| Threat to kill | Crime of the Third Degree | Applies when a person threatens to kill another with purpose to instill imminent fear of death under circumstances reasonably causing belief in the immediacy and likelihood of the threat being carried out. | N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3undefined |
Common questions about terroristic threats in New Jersey
What degree of offense is terroristic threats in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: terroristic threats ranges from a Crime of the Third Degree to a Crime of the Second Degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3.
Terroristic threat - crime of violence (base): Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3) · Terroristic threat - during declared emergency: Crime of the Second Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3) · Threat to kill: Crime of the Third Degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3)
What are the penalties for terroristic threats in New Jersey?
Penalties for terroristic threats in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a Crime of the Third Degree up to a Crime of the Second Degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which New Jersey statute covers terroristic threats?
Terroristic threats is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-3 (Terroristic threats).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.