{"id":371375,"date":"2024-11-14T10:12:55","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T15:12:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-terroristic-threat-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-05-15T18:07:05","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T23:07:05","slug":"alabama-terroristic-threat-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-terroristic-threat-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Terroristic Threat Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alabama Terroristic Threat Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Making a terrorist threat involves threatening a crime of violence against people or property through the use of explosives, weapons of mass destruction, firearms, and other deadly weapons. In Alabama, a person convicted of making terrorist threats can face mandatory prison sentences and up to a $15,000 fine. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Although state definitions may differ, a person generally commits the crime of making terroristic threats when they threaten violence against a group of people or real property through the use of explosives, weapons of mass destruction, firearms, or other deadly weapons.<\/p>\r\n

Because such threats disrupt public administration, order, and safety, state laws typically impose severe punishments on those who make them.<\/p>\r\n

Alabama state law classifies terrorist threats into first- and second-degree crimes. A conviction for making terrorist threats in the state of Alabama can lead to years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.<\/p>\r\n

This article summarizes Alabama\u2019s laws and criminal penalties for making terrorist threats. For information about how the federal government criminalizes terrorism, visit FindLaw\u2019s article on Terrorism and Terroristic Threats<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Alabama Terrorist Threat Laws: Overview<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The table below provides an overview of Alabama\u2019s laws and criminal penalties regarding terrorist threats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Code section<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Code of Alabama Title 13A Criminal Code, Chapter 10, Article 10 – Making a Terrorist Threat<\/p>\r\n

Definitions<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

With regard to terrorist threats, the following terms have the following definitions:<\/p>\r\n

\u201cProperty\u201d refers to personal or real property, including churches, mosques, synagogues, and schools. (\u00a7 13A-10-240(1)(a)-(b))<\/p>\r\n

A person \u201cthreatens\u201d another person if all of the following things occur:<\/p>\r\n

First-degree terroristic threats<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

A person who does the following commits the crime of making a terrorist threat in the first degree (\u00a7 13A-10-241):<\/p>\r\n

They credibly threaten to commit a crime of violence against a person or to damage any property using a bomb, explosive, weapon of mass destruction, firearm, deadly weapon, or other mechanism and any of the following occurs:<\/p>\r\n

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  • The threat causes the evacuation of any real property. (\u00a7 13A-10-241(a)(1))<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

  • The threat disrupts a school, church, or government activity. (\u00a7 13A-10-241(a)(2))<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

  • The person makes the threat with the intent to retaliate against a victim because of their involvement or participation as a witness in a judicial or administrative proceeding. (\u00a7 13A-10-241(a)(3)(a))<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

  • The person makes the threat with the intent to retaliate against a victim because of their involvement or participation as a person who produced records, documents, or other objects in a judicial or administrative proceeding. (\u00a7 13A-10-241(a)(3)(b))<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

  • The person makes the threat with the intent to retaliate against a victim because they provided information to law enforcement relating to the commission or possible commission of a criminal offense or a violation of bail, pretrial release, probation, or parole. (\u00a7 13A-10-241(a)(3)(c))<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n

  • The person threatens an elected public official or a member of the official\u2019s staff. (\u00a7 13A-10-241(a)(4)<\/p>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Making a terrorist threat in the first degree is a Class C felony. (\u00a7 13A-10-241(b))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Second-degree terroristic threats<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

A person commits the crime of making a terrorist threat in the second degree if they credibly threaten to commit a crime of violence against a person or to damage any property using a bomb, explosive, weapon of mass destruction, firearm, deadly weapon, or other mechanism. (\u00a7 13A-10-242(a))<\/p>\r\n

Making a terrorist threat in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor. (\u00a7 13A-10-242(b))<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

If convicted of making a terrorist threat in the first degree (a Class C felony), the following criminal penalties apply:<\/p>\r\n