If I use a dummy target with names on it is that considered a terroristic threat?
03/27/2009 - Criminal - State: TX #15794
Full Question:
If I have a 'dummy' on my property with names on it that I use for target practice, does that mean it's a terroristic threat?
Answer:
A terroristic threat involves a threat of harm, involving serious bodily injury. Threat of harm generally involves a perception of injury. Harm is physical or mental damage, an act or instance of injury, or a material and tangible detriment or loss to a person. It will be a matter of subjective determination, based on all the facts and circumstances involved, whether the statute applies in this case.
The following is a TX statute:
§ 22.07 PENAL. 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.
(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.
(f) In this section: (1) "Family" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.003, Family Code.
(2) "Family violence" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.004, Family Code.
(3) "Household" has the meaning assigned by Section 71.005, Family Code.
(g) For purposes of Subsection (d), the amount of pecuniary loss is the amount of economic loss suffered by the owner of the building, room, place, or conveyance as a result of the prevention or interruption of the occupation or use of the building, room, place, or conveyance.
Please see the information at the following links:
http://definitions.uslegal.com/t/terroristic-threat/
http://definitions.uslegal.com/t/threat-of-harm/
http://definitions.uslegal.com/i/injury/
03/27/2009 - Category: Criminal - State: TX #15794
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