Terroristic Threats in Dallas, Texas
Let’s face it, besides being a serious criminal case, terroristic threat is terribly named. For most people, it conjures images of international or domestic terrorist incidents like 911. This misperception isn’t just wrong, it multiplies the already serious consequences of a terroristic threat case. Having an experienced Dallas terroristic threat lawyer to walk you through the process and fight for you is absolutely vital.
Police, prosecutors, and courts take terroristic threat cases very seriously. Beyond that, however, having terroristic threat on your criminal record can be incredibly damaging to your reputation, employment opportunities, and your future. Don’t put yourself or your loved one in just anyone’s hands. You need an experienced Dallas terroristic threat attorney in your corner.
Dallas Terroristic Threat Lawyer
If you or someone you love has been accused of terroristic threat in Dallas, contact the Law Office of Mike Howard. Most importantly, Dallas terroristic threat lawyer Mike Howard has the experience, trial skills, and dedication that you need when you are fighting for your life. We will do everything we can to fight for you. Moreover, Mr. Howard will give you an honest assessment of your case and explain the law and your legal options.
A Different Kind of Lawyer
We approach our clients differently than a lot of lawyers. Above all, our philosophy is that being a great lawyer is more than getting you a great result. First, our office is centered around you. This means we start by truly listening to you to understand your case and your goals. Further, our team works to provide you a client experience that is as easy and stress-free as possible. Answering your questions and keeping you informed is very important to us. Most importantly, we treat you as a person, not a number. Finally, our goal is to achieve the best possible result for you. If you’re looking for a different kind of criminal defense attorney you’ve come to the right place.
Listen & Understand
We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.
Open Communication
We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.
Fight for Justice
Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.
Terroristic Threat Charges in Dallas
A person commits terroristic threat (Texas Penal Code § 22.07) if they threaten to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to:
- cause a reaction of any type to his threat by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies. OR
- place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. OR
- 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. OR
- cause impairment or interruption of public communications, public transportation, public water, gas, or power supply or other public service. OR
- place the public or a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury. OR
- influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state.
Related Charges
Assault and aggravated assault are very similar charges to terroristic threat. For more information, see our assault page. See our violent crimes page for more information about other related violent crimes.
Resources and Information
See our criminal defense resource center for more information on fundamental rights in a criminal case, definitions of culpable mental states (intentionally, knowingly, etc), defenses to prosecution, and more.
Penalties for Terroristic Threats in TX
Terroristic threat cases can range from Class B misdemeanors all the way up to third-degree felonies depending on the facts of the case and who is involved.
The most common terroristic threat charge (placing a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury) is generally a Class B misdemeanor. As a result, you could face up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine. However, if the alleged victim is a family member or public servant, that charge is a Class A misdemeanor. As a result, you could face up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.
Threatening a person you know is a judge or peace officer can be a state jail felony. As a result, you could face 6 months – 2 years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.
Causing interruption of public infrastructure, placing the public in fear of serious bodily injury, and threats to influence the activities of government is a third-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2 – 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Defending Terroristic Threat Charges in Dallas
First and foremost, the prosecutor must prove their allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecutor cannot rule out each and every possible reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence prevails. As a result, the court must find you not guilty. This means you don’t have to prove that you didn’t do it. You don’t have to prove anything!
The only way the prosecution wins is if the jury believes their story is the only reasonable way it could’ve happened. If they have any reasonable doubts that it actually happened, they must find you not guilty. If they reasonably think it could’ve happened another way, they must find you not guilty. This is the highest burden of proof in our justice system. When implemented by a skilled Dallas terroristic threat attorney, it can be a powerful weapon.
Choosing the Right Terroristic Threat Lawyer in Dallas
Searching for terroristic threat lawyers in Dallas can be overwhelming. After all, you are choosing someone who will hold your life, your future, and your family’s future in their hands. You have to be comfortable with them and feel that you can trust the information and advice they give you. Attorneys are supposed to always work in their clients’ best interest. That shouldn’t just be meaningless talk.
First, talk to several lawyers to get a feel for them and their staff. Do they take the time necessary to get to know you, to listen to what’s important to you, and answer your questions? Do they show you that you matter to them as a person and not just as a fee? Beware of lawyers who put the hard sell on you, who make big promises. No attorney should ever make a guarantee about a case. Absolutely avoid a lawyer who doesn’t communicate the scope of the work and their fee clearly in a written contract.
What Makes Mike Howard Different
Many lawyers take advantage of their clients’ ignorance of the criminal justice process. We take the opposite approach. A knowledgeable client is a happy client. Therefore, we provide a wealth of information in the way of articles about criminal offenses, blog posts, and videos for free on our website.
Visit Our YouTube Channel for informational videos and client testimonials.
Visit Our blog for posts on cases, defenses, and criminal law information.
Dallas Terroristic Threat Attorney Mike Howard
Above all, I strive to help my clients through difficult times with compassion and integrity. In Dallas innocent people can get accused, charged, and convicted when they don’t have a Dallas terroristic threat attorney fighting for them. I believe in standing up for people facing criminal accusations and helping them navigate all that comes with being thrown into the criminal justice system.
Client-Centered
The cornerstone of my law practice is focusing on my clients as individuals. I start by taking the time to understand not just the facts of their case, but who they are and what they need. Because I know the criminal justice system can be intimidating, I explain the process, their rights, their options, and whether expungement may be available to clear their record. Client communication is extremely important to me, so I make sure my team and I do everything possible to quickly answer questions and return messages.
Willing to Fight
Most importantly, I am willing to fight a case in court. I have a track record of delivering fantastic results at trial. While not every client and case needs to go to trial, it can make a difference. When your Dallas terroristic threat attorney has a reputation as a skillful trial lawyer who fights for their clients, however, it makes all the difference in the world.
