Baltimore Lawyer for Making Terroristic Threats
The charge that is known in other states as “terroristic threats” is known as a “threat of mass violence” in Baltimore, Maryland. It is charged against anyone that threatens to commit an act of violence against five or more people that have a reasonable fear that the violence will happen and are forced to protect themselves by either evacuating the building they are in, moving to a different area within the building or staying within the building. Only a threat is needed for a crime to be committed; the threat does not need to be carried out.
This is a serious crime that requires qualified legal representation. If you are currently facing charges for making threats of mass violence, get in touch with the Baltimore lawyers for making terroristic threats from Rice, Murtha, & Psoras. Call (410) 431-0911 today to learn more about how we can defend you. You can schedule a free and confidential consultation.
Making Threats of Mass Violence in Baltimore, MD
The charge of making a “threat of mass violence” must meet certain criteria. This charge can only be made against people who have made a threat of mass violence against at least five people, all of whom have a reasonable fear that a crime will be committed and either are forced to evacuate, move to a different part of, or stay in the building they are inhabiting. The threat can be made using any type of communication. The person being charged with this crime can be charged in either the county where they made the threat, the county where the threatened people received the threat, or in the county where the consequences of the threat took place.
Penalties for making a threat of mass violence in Baltimore under state law include up to 10 years in prison a fine up to $10,000. It is a misdemeanor offense. Also, people who have been convicted of making threats of mass violence are often required to reimburse law enforcement agencies for the cost of responding to the threat.
Other Communication of Terroristic Threat Crimes in Baltimore
Making a threat of mass violence isn’t the only type of threat that is a crime in Baltimore. It is also a crime to make an extortion by written threat, which is attempting to extort something of value from someone using a written threat of injury, emotional distress, or economic damage. Like making a threat of mass violence, penalties for this crime can be up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Telephone misuse is also a crime in Maryland —this crime entails making threats or obscene or indecent comments over the telephone. It is a misdemeanor charge that can result in up to three years in jail.
What to Do if You Have Been Arrested for Making Terroristic Threats in Baltimore
If you have been arrested, the first thing you should do is contact a criminal defense attorney. The first step in the process is that you will be taken in front of a District Court Commissioner who will determine if probable cause exists to charge you, also known as a preliminary hearing. At this hearing, you may not present evidence but may hear what evidence the State has and cross-examine their witnesses. This is a key step in the process and it is essential that you have an attorney present to ensure that your rights are protected.
The Criminal Trial Process in Baltimore
If you are currently facing charges for making threats of mass violence in Baltimore, it can be helpful to understand the criminal trial process in the state, and how an experienced attorney can help you through the process.
Option of Judge or Jury
In Baltimore, under state law, people who have been arrested and charged with crimes have the option of whether they would like their case to go before a judge or a jury during a trial. You can work with your attorney to decide which is best for you and your case. If you choose to have your case go to trial, jury selection will begin soon after, followed by the trial itself. During the trial, both you, the defendant, and the prosecution will make opening statements; both sides will then present their cases. The trial ends with jury deliberation and then sentencing.
Evidence Presented by the Prosecution
If you choose to go to trial for your charges, the state’s prosecution team will have to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, which means that they have the responsibility to provide evidence that proves that you committed the crime that you were charged with. An experienced Baltimore terroristic threat lawyer can question the validity of the evidence that the state presents against you.
Probation Before Judgment
Probation before judgment is a possible outcome for criminal cases in Baltimore. A probation before judgment can be added to a defendant’s record if the judge or jury finds them guilty but does not convict them. This is an ideal option for many defendants because it can easily be expunged from their record in most cases.
Contact Our Terroristic Threat Lawyers in Baltimore for a Free Consultation
Our Baltimore terroristic threat lawyers are available to defend people in the Baltimore area against severe charges. We can put our expertise to use to have your charges mitigated or dropped entirely. Call our Maryland criminal defense lawyers at (410) 431-0911 to schedule a consultation to discuss your charges and the future of your case.