Terroristic Threat

Terroristic Threat Defense Attorney Serving Denton and Collin County

A terroristic threat charge can come from a heated argument, an angry text, a social media post, or a comment about a school that was never meant seriously. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.07, the charge can range from a Class B misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, depending on what was threatened and who was affected. In Collin and Denton County, threats involving schools are investigated aggressively, and students and adults alike can be arrested quickly.

The Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, has represented people accused of crimes in Collin and Denton County since 2015. Attorney Al Rowland is a former police officer and prosecutor, so he knows how threat cases are investigated and how much context matters. If you or your child has been charged with making a terroristic threat in Frisco, McKinney, Plano, Denton, or anywhere in North Texas, call (469) 895-6555 for a free, confidential consultation.

Why You Need a Defense Lawyer

In threat cases, the words themselves are only part of the story. The State has to prove what you intended, and that often depends on context: who you were talking to, what led up to the statement, whether it was a joke or venting, and whether anyone actually felt threatened. Police and school officials often decide quickly, and a single screenshot can lead to an arrest before anyone asks questions.

A defense lawyer can:

Gather the full conversation or post history, not just the screenshot
Show the context and the intent behind what was said
Work to get bond conditions or school restrictions modified
Challenge whether the statement meets the legal definition of a threat
Negotiate a dismissal, a reduced charge, or an alternative such as pretrial diversion
Defend the case at trial when necessary

What Is a Terroristic Threat in Texas?

A person commits terroristic threat by threatening to commit any offense involving violence to a person or property, with the intent to:

Cause a reaction by police, fire, or another emergency agency
Place someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury
Prevent or interrupt the use of a building, public place, workplace, or vehicle
Interrupt public communications, transportation, utilities, or other public services
Place the public or a substantial group of people in fear of serious bodily injury
Influence the conduct of a government agency

Threats against schools may also be charged under related laws, such as making a false alarm or report, which can be a state jail felony when it involves a public school.

Penalties for Terroristic Threat in Texas

The penalty depends on the intent alleged and who was threatened:

Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine): Threats meant to cause an emergency response or to put someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury
Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year and a $4,000 fine): Threats against a family or household member or a public servant, or threats meant to interrupt the use of a building or public place
State jail felony (180 days to 2 years): Threats against a peace officer or judge, or threats that cause $1,500 or more in losses from an interrupted building or business
Third-degree felony (2 to 10 years): Threats meant to place the public in fear, interrupt public services, or influence a government agency

Students may also face school discipline, including expulsion or placement in an alternative school, in addition to any criminal or juvenile case. If the threat involved a family member, a family violence finding can carry lasting consequences. Learn more about our juvenile defense and domestic violence defense.

Defenses to Terroristic Threat Charges

Depending on the facts, defenses may include:

No intent: The State must prove you intended one of the results listed in the law. Jokes, sarcasm, venting, and exaggeration often lack that intent.
Context: The full conversation, the relationship between the people involved, and what happened before and after can change the meaning of the words.
No threat of violence: Not every angry or offensive statement threatens a violent offense.
Free speech: The First Amendment protects some statements that don’t amount to a true threat.
Identity: In online cases, the State must prove who actually made the post or sent the message.
Overcharging: The facts may support a lower charge than the one filed.

Contact a Frisco Terroristic Threat Lawyer Now

A threat charge can affect school, work, and your future, even when the words were never meant seriously. Contact the Law Office of Al Rowland, PLLC, at (469) 895-6555 or online for a free, confidential consultation. We defend these charges throughout Collin County and Denton County.

Terroristic Threat