A person charged with Threats of Violence in Minnesota must try his or her level best to obtain a favorable outcome from the case. Otherwise, the person could encounter serious repercussions in the future, including difficulty renting a home, getting a job, or volunteering.
The person could also lose firearm privileges or the right to vote, especially if the case ends in a conviction. A Threats of Violence conviction can also result in imprisonment and fines.
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Minnesota Threats of Violence Law
Minnesota Statutes divide the Threats of Violence offense into three subdivisions:
Subdivision 1: Threatening Violence with the Intent to Terrorize
Subdivision 1 of the Statute states that a person may face criminal charges when he or she makes a direct or indirect threat to execute a crime of violence against someone else, like in a domestic violence situation, for example. The threat must have been made with the intent to terrorize someone else, cause evacuation of a vehicle, building, or facility, or lead to a serious inconvenience.
Subdivision 2: Communicating with the Intent to Terrorize
This subdivision states that a person commits a threat of violence offense if he or she informs another person that an incendiary or explosive device is available at a given location. The person must have made this communication with the intent to terrorize another person. Under this statute, the communication alone is sufficient to commence a prosecution even if there is no device at the specified location.
Subdivision 3: Brandishing a Replica Firearm
Under the third subsection, displaying, brandishing, exhibiting, or otherwise employing a replica firearm in a threatening way amounts to a Threat of Violence offense. A replica firearm is any device that looks like a weapon but doesn’t satisfy the definition of a harmful weapon in Minnesota.
Threats of Violence Conviction Penalties
A Threat of Violence conviction under the first subdivision of the statute attracts a jail sentence of up to five years and/or $10,000 in fines. The second subdivision can result in a three-year imprisonment and a fine of $3,000. The third subdivision can lead to a year imprisonment and a $3,000 fine.
A Minneapolis assault lawyer working with a person facing a Threat of Violence charge will explain the factors contributing to the specific charge he or she is facing.
