New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 490.20 — Making a terroristic threat
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 490: Terrorism, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 490.20
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
490.20 Making a terroristic threat.
1. A person is guilty of making a terroristic threat when with intent
to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence the policy of a
unit of government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of
a unit of government by murder, assassination or kidnapping, he or she
threatens to commit or cause to be committed a specified offense and
thereby causes a reasonable expectation or fear of the imminent
commission of such offense.
2. It shall be no defense to a prosecution pursuant to this section
that the defendant did not have the intent or capability of committing
the specified offense or that the threat was not made to a person who
was a subject thereof.
Making a terroristic threat is a class D felony.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
What class of felony is making a terroristic threat in New York?
Making a terroristic threat is a Class D Felony in New York under N.Y. Penal Law § 490.20.
Which New York statute covers making a terroristic threat?
Making a terroristic threat is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 490.20 (Making a terroristic threat).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.