Bucks County Terroristic Threats Lawyer

Name: Keith E. McAndrews
Address: 174 Middletown Blvd #300, Langhorne, PA, 19047
Telephone: (215) 752-5282

I’m a Bucks County terroristic threats lawyer who defends adults and juveniles charged under 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 2706 across Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Philadelphia Counties.

30-Second Summary

I fight terroristic threats cases in Bucks County and in the nearby counties, with over 300 cases handled
The police and prosecutor must prove a communicated threat and intent to terrorize, not just momentary anger
I often get acquittals, dismissals, withdrawals, or charge reductions when proof is weak, unclear, or shows transitory anger

Call 24/7: (215) 752-5282. Save texts, DMs, call logs, screenshots; don’t contact the police or accuser.

Quick Facts: Terroristic Threats, 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 2706

Free Consult: 24/7 at (215) 752-5282
Service Areas: Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware and surrounding PA counties
Typical Timeline: Charges filed, preliminary hearing in 3-4 weeks, formal arraignment 30 days later, pre-trial conference 5-6 weeks later
Possible Outcomes When the Evidence is Weak: Acquittal, dismissal, charge reduction, or diversion (ARD)
Experience: Handled over 300 terroristic threats cases in the suburban county courts

2025 Proposed Changes: PA Terroristic Threats (§ 2706)

Why the law may be changing: A pending Pennsylvania State Senate Bill (SB 96) would make false “hoax” emergency threats to K-12 schools or colleges a third-degree felony (punishment up to 7 years in jail and $15,000 in fines).

The proposed law would also expand restitution, allowing schools and police to recover emergency services, evacuation response, and police investigation costs from adults and juveniles who commit this offense. (Bill pending; not yet law.)

Why Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer for Terroristic Threats?

Attorney Keith E. McAndrews

The police will investigate all reports of terroristic threats very thoroughly. In addition, a Pennsylvania terroristic threats charge can have serious long-term consequences, including jail time and severe damage to your reputation and standing in your community.

So, you need a lawyer who can look at all possible defenses, talk to the prosecution to drop or reduce the charges, and, if required, argue the case in court to win a not-guilty verdict. I have defended over 300 people charged with terroristic threats in Pennsylvania.

I have handled every part of a terroristic threats case, from pre-arrest investigation, first-offender court diversion, plea bargaining to trial before a jury. Sadly, a terroristic threat conviction can have devastating consequences for a young person. It may stop them from entering a first-time offender program to clear their record.

If the police accuse you of terroristic threats, talk to a lawyer before you give up your rights or give a statement. Call me at (215) 752-5282 to talk about how to beat the charge.

Attorney Fees for Terroristic Threat Charges

I offer reasonable fees for my legal services. The attorney-client fee agreement is written in plain language outlining all costs, billing procedures, and payment expectations upfront. I also offer flexible payment plans.

A Terroristic Threat Conviction Can Destroy Your Future

Unfortunately, an adult conviction or juvenile court finding of terroristic threats may make people think you committed a crime related to terrorism. They might also think you have trouble controlling your temper.

Also, if the threat happened on school property, your child might be expelled from school.

The damaging effects of a terroristic threats conviction can follow you long after your case is over. As a result, employers and college admissions officers may be reluctant to extend employment or school acceptance offers to individuals with a criminal record for terroristic threats.

It Can be Hard to Get a Job After a Terroristic Threats Conviction

How bad is a terroristic threat charge? Unfortunately, a conviction for terroristic threats may make it difficult for you to find employment. It could also make passing a background check, receiving professional licensing or certification, traveling abroad, or lawfully possessing a firearm difficult.

Many companies will not want to hire someone with a terroristic threat record. They may be concerned that you will do it again. This could really hurt your chances of getting hired. Others may wonder if you have untreated mental health problems.

Juvenile Terroristic Threats

I have worked on many cases involving young people accused of making terroristic threats. I know these cases are very traumatizing, especially for the parents of the child.

The most common scenarios involve written or verbal threats of violence exchanged between students or more severe situations involving threats of a school bombing or mass shooting.

It is important to know that even jokes about school violence can cause significant legal trouble for a student, including:

The filing of juvenile charges for terroristic threats
The immediate arrest and detention of the juvenile
Court-ordered mental health examination for risk assessment
Indefinite placement in juvenile detention until the charges are resolved in juvenile court

Unfortunately, a juvenile court finding of terroristic threats can really hurt a young person’s future. Because of this, it is even more critical to hire a juvenile lawyer right away if your child is accused of making a terroristic threat.

A Terroristic Threat Conviction Can Hurt a Young Adult’s Chances of Getting into College and Finding a Job

Furthermore, a juvenile terroristic threat record may be difficult to immediately expunge. The arrest record carries a damaging negative stigma that may follow your child. Finally, a terroristic threat record may adversely affect their ability to become employed, get into college, and limit other personal and professional opportunities.

Have the police filed terroristic threats charges against your child in juvenile court? Review the PA Juvenile Defense Lawyer page for information about juvenile court proceedings. Contact me at (215) 752-5282 to discuss your child’s case.

Bucks County Terroristic Threats Attorney

Did the police accuse you of making a terroristic threat? Experience matters. I have defended people in over 300 terroristic threats cases in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, Philadelphia County, and the surrounding Pennsylvania Counties.

Contact me at (215) 752-5282 for a free initial consultation, or fill out the confidential contact form for an immediate response. I can meet evening and weekends.

What is Considered a Terroristic Threat in Pennsylvania?

According to 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 2706, a person commits a terroristic threat if a person communicates, either directly or indirectly:

A threat to commit any crime of violence with intent to terrorize another; or
Cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation, or
Otherwise, cause serious public inconvenience, cause terror or serious public inconvenience with reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience

What Evidence Does the Prosecution Need for a Terroristic Threat in PA?

Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion about the crime of terroristic threats. Many people associate the term terroristic threats with wide-scale domestic or global terrorism.

In Pennsylvania, the police charge the majority of terroristic threats cases as first-degree misdemeanor crimes involving verbal or written threats made by one person toward another person.

To prove the misdemeanor crime of terroristic threats, the district attorney needs to prove two things:

You, either directly or indirectly, threatened to commit a crime of violence and
You communicated the threat with the intent to terrorize another person

Therefore, the prosecutor must not only prove that you threatened to commit a crime of violence but that you also had a particular mental state (intent to terrorize a person) at the time you made the threat.

What are Common Examples of Terroristic Threats in Pennsylvania?

Many people are unsure what a terroristic threat is. A terroristic threat can be verbal, written, or non-verbal acts including any of the following:

Communicating a bomb threat in any manner
Pointing or aiming a gun at a person
Threatening to murder another person over the phone, by text, e-mail, or in person
Posting a threat to kill a person on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, or other social media platforms
Threatening to assault someone over the phone, by voicemail, or through text message
Threatening to commit a mass shooting
Threatening a public official

What are the Penalties for Terroristic Threats in Pennsylvania?

A Pennsylvania terroristic threats charge is among the highest-graded offenses in the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. The following are the Pennsylvania terroristic threats penalties:

Misdemeanor of the first-degree
- Up to 5 years in state prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Felony of the third-degree
- Up to 7 years in state prison
- Up to $15,000 in fines

In addition, the court may order you to pay restitution for emergency services if the threat resulted in disruption of public services, evacuating a building, or both.

Think You Understand PA Terroristic Threat Laws? Think Again

Many people are surprised to learn that the police can charge you with terroristic threats even if:

You did not have the ability to carry out the threat
You never carried out the threat
The victim did not believe you would carry out the threat
You did not communicate the threat directly to the victim
Your threat was only a physical act or gesture

Defenses to a Pennsylvania Terroristic Threats Charge

As a Bucks County terroristic threats lawyer, I look for clear, effective defenses under Pennsylvania law. Depending on the facts, strong strategies can include:

No threat or proof: There is no reliable evidence a threat was made or received
Words Taken Out of Context: Words were misunderstood, missing tone, or background (texts, jokes, sarcasm)
Protected speech: The statement is constitutionally protected (1st Amend.) and not a “true threat”
Self-Defense: Words were used to stop an immediate physical danger, not to terrorize
Transient Anger: A heated one-off outburst with no intent to follow through
Ambiguity: The words were vague or unclear, so intent can’t be proven
Accuser has a Motive to Lie: The accuser is motivated by hatred, revenge, custody leverage, breakup revenge, or other reasons
History Matters: A prior friendly relationship could undercut any intent to terrorize
Mental Health Crisis: A documented crisis may negate intent or support treatment-focused outcomes (behavioral health court)

Unsure where your case fits? Call (215) 752-5282 for a free, local case review-available 24/7.

How To Get Terroristic Threats Charges Dropped

To achieve a successful outcome in a terroristic threats case, I thoroughly examine all evidence, including a complete review of all possible legal defenses. We will meet in person to discuss the case’s facts and prepare an aggressive defense.

In some situations, I have convinced the judge to dismiss the case because the alleged threat or statement does not meet the legal definition of a terroristic threat. For example, the statement “You are going to regret this!” is not a terroristic threat.

In other cases, I persuaded the prosecutor to drop the charges because I could prove that the accused never communicated the threat to the alleged victim.

Prove the Accuser is Lying About the Alleged Terroristic Threat

In many cases, the sole objective of your legal defense strategy is to prove that the complainant fabricated the accusation. It’s a sad reality that individuals often falsely report such threats to the authorities.

It is common for the accuser to have a hidden motive to make a false claim, whether against a stranger, domestic partner, spouse, or neighbor. Uncovering these hidden motives is a key part of your defense strategy, putting you in a position to win your case.

The reasons a person might make a false terroristic threat report to the police include the following:

Revenge against you
Uncontrolled anger against you
To gain advantage in a child custody matter
Falsely accusing you of a terroristic threat to hide their own criminal behavior
To get the court to evict you from your own residence

In many instances, I have established that the accuser lied about the alleged threat through vigorous cross-examination in court. This type of questioning is a potent tool for revealing the accuser’s lack of credibility. It can be the key to the dismissal of the case.

To prove this, I demonstrate that the complainant may have given inconsistent versions of the incident to the police, emergency dispatch, or family members and friends. In other cases, I have shown that the accuser made up the accusation to solely get the accused put in jail.

Is Transitory Anger a Defense to Terroristic Threats?

Yes. Momentary or “transitory anger” is one of the most effective defenses against a terroristic threats case. Not every threat of violence is a terroristic threat.

Temporary anger is common in cases involving heated arguments or other types of verbal disputes. If proven in court, transitory anger is a complete defense to the crime of terroristic threats as it negates the required “intent to terrorize” element of the offense.

What is Transitory Anger?

Transitory anger occurs when a person temporarily loses their temper due to a heated argument or other stressful circumstances. Unfortunately, this type of spur-of-the-moment anger is common.

Also, momentary anger can occur among the calmest and most level-headed people. I have been successful in using the transitory anger defense to get terroristic threats cases dropped, withdrawn, downgraded, or a jury acquittal.

How Do I Know If I Have a Transitory Anger Defense to Terroristic Threats?

Some or all of the following factors can create a legal defense to the charge of terroristic threats:

The alleged victim provoked the incident
The accused made a single threat
The accused made the threat during an unexpected, chance encounter
The accused made the threat during a period of momentary anger
The accused did not make threats of future violence

Have the police accused you of making terroristic threats? Contact me at (215) 752-5282 for a free review of your case.

How a PA Terroristic Threats Defense Lawyer Can Help You

As an experienced PA terroristic threats defense attorney with a proven track record of success, I will review your case’s evidence and negotiate with the district attorney.

These negotiations will aim to reduce the penalty for terroristic threats, potentially through providing proof of anger management counseling, emphasizing your minimal or clean criminal record, or establishing extenuating circumstances in the case.

I can positively influence the district attorney’s decision by taking proactive steps, often leading to a reduced charge or favorable sentencing recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Do First?

Do not contact the accuser or the police. Say nothing. Preserve texts/call logs/screenshots/emails and witness names. Call a lawyer immediately. See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 2706 | FindLaw; Article I, Section 9. November 4, 2003 – PA Constitution

Why is Context Important?

Intent is required; jokes, ambiguity, one-time immature outbursts, or heated-moment texts can undercut “intent to terrorize.” See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 2706 | FindLaw

Can a Text, DM, or Social Media Post be a Terroristic Threat in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Threats can be written, verbal, or non-verbal (gesture-only), Texts and social medial direct messages can qualify if made with the intent to terrorize.

Can the Police Charge Me Even if I Couldn’t Do It?

Yes. Ability isn’t required. The police only need a communicated threat to commit a crime of violence plus the intent to terrorize. The police don’t need to prove you were able to do what you threatened. See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 2706 | FindLaw

Will I go to Jail?

Most M-1 terroristic threats cases end in court diversion or probation. Jail risk increases with F-3 grading (evacuation/disruption) weapons, repeat offense, or serious criminal record.

Is a “Conditional Threat” a Terroristic Threat in PA?

Yes, if communicated to the person (directly or indirectly) and made with the intent to terrorize. Using “if” or “when” wording is still a threat. See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 2706 | FindLaw

What is “Intent to Terrorize”?

Specific intent to cause fear or serious public inconvenience, not spur-of-the-moment anger. Repetition, specificity, delivery(emotion or demeanor), and previous threats can prove intent. See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 2706 | FindLaw

Is a Terroristic Threats a Felony or Misdemeanor?

Most cases are M-1 (person-to-person threats). It will be graded as an F-3 if the threat causes evacuation of a building or disrupts public transit/assembly/public services. See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 2706 | FindLaw

Can I be Charged for Threats Without Words (Gesture-Only)?

Yes. Non-verbal conduct (e.g., pointing a gun at a person) can a communicate a threat if combined with an intent to terrorize. See https://law.justia.com/codes/pennsylvania/title-18/chapter-27/section-2706/

Can Charges be Dropped or Reduced?

Yes, in many cases. Weak proof of communication/intent, ambiguity, transitory anger, accuser credibility or mitigation (e.g., anger management counseling) can lead to withdrawals or reduction of charges.

Can I Get ARD for a Terroristic Threats?

Often no, many counties exclude crimes involving threats of violence, but policies vary by county and facts. The Bucks County District Attorney restricts ARD to non-violent offenses and considers terroristic threats to be a crime of violence. See Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (A.R.D.) | Bucks County, PA

Will a Conviction Affect my Firearm Rights?

It can. Some M-1 domestic-context convictions trigger a 5-year PA bar; federal law can impose a lifetime misdemeanor crime of domestic violence ban. See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 6105 | FindLaw;18 USC 922: Unlawful acts

Can Terroristic Threats be Expunged?

Yes, if the charge is withdrawn, dismissed, nolle prossed, pardoned, or you were acquitted (e.g., not guilty verdict). See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 9122 | FindLaw; PA Criminal Record Expungement Lawyer

Can a Conviction be Sealed (Clean Slate 3.0)?

Yes. After 7 years with no disqualifying convictions and restitution paid. You can file a Petition for Limited Access. See Bill Text: PA HB689 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended | LegiScan

Can my License be Suspended if I am Convicted of Terroristic Threats?

Yes, if you are 21 years of age or younger when the offense occurs on school property or at a school event. A conviction or adjudication will trigger a mandatory driver’s license suspension. See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 75 Pa.C.S.A. Vehicles § 1532 | FindLaw

What is the Length of the Driver’s License Suspension?

1st offense: 6-month driver’s license suspension
2nd offense: 1-year driver’s license suspension
3rd offense: 2-year driver’s license suspension

See Pennsylvania Statutes Title 75 Pa.C.S.A. Vehicles § 1532 | FindLaw