Denton County Terroristic Threat Lawyer | Free Consultation

A terroristic threat charge in Denton County can result in jail time, steep fines, and a criminal record that follows you for years. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.07, you can be charged even if you never intended to carry out the threat. The fear you caused is enough.

Whether the threat was made during an argument with a family member, posted online, or directed at a public servant, prosecutors take these cases seriously. You need a Denton County defense lawyer who knows how to challenge the evidence and protect your future.

What Terroristic Threat Means Under Texas Law

Texas Penal Code § 22.07 defines terroristic threat as threatening to commit violence against any person or place with the intent to place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury, to prevent or interrupt the occupation or use of a building or public place, or to cause impairment or interruption of public communications or utilities. The threat can be communicated verbally, in writing, or electronically.

What makes this charge different from other threats is the level of fear required. The state does not need to prove that you intended to actually carry out the threat. They only need to prove that you made the threat and that it caused fear of imminent harm.

The most common scenarios include threats made during domestic disputes, threats directed at schools or public places, threats made on social media, and threats against peace officers or judges.

Types of Terroristic Threat Charges

Texas law recognizes different types of terroristic threats based on who is threatened and where the threat occurs. The penalties increase depending on the severity and target of the threat.

Terroristic Threat Against Family or Household Member

This is the most common form of terroristic threat charge. It typically arises from domestic disputes where one person threatens another family or household member. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.07(c)(1), this offense is a Class A misdemeanor. The state must prove that the threat caused fear of imminent serious bodily injury to a family or household member.

Terroristic Threat Causing Fear of Imminent Serious Bodily Injury

When a threat is directed at any person and causes fear of imminent serious bodily injury, it is charged under Texas Penal Code § 22.07(c). This is also a Class A misdemeanor. The key element is that the victim genuinely feared they would be seriously harmed in the near future.

Terroristic Threat Against Peace Officer or Judge

Threats directed at peace officers, judges, or their families are treated more seriously. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.07(c-1), this offense is a third-degree felony. The law recognizes that threatening public servants undermines the justice system and public safety.

Terroristic Threat to Interrupt Public Place

When a threat is made with the intent to prevent or interrupt the use of a building, public place, or public transportation, it falls under Texas Penal Code § 22.07(d). This includes bomb threats, school threats, and threats to interrupt public services. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor unless the threat involves a public school or institution of higher education, in which case it becomes a third-degree felony.

Penalties and Consequences

The penalties for terroristic threat charges in Denton County depend on the specific offense and whether it is classified as a misdemeanor or felony.

Class A Misdemeanor (most terroristic threat cases): Up to 1 year in county jail, fine up to $4,000, probation, and a permanent criminal record.

Third-Degree Felony (threats against peace officers, judges, or certain public places): 2 to 10 years in state prison, fine up to $10,000, supervised release, and loss of certain civil rights including the right to vote and possess firearms.

Beyond the criminal penalties, a terroristic threat conviction can impact your employment, housing, professional licenses, and immigration status. Many employers conduct background checks and will not hire someone with a violent crime on their record. Landlords may refuse to rent to you. If you are not a U.S. citizen, a terroristic threat conviction can result in deportation or denial of naturalization.

The collateral consequences often last longer than the jail time. That’s why fighting the charge from the beginning is critical.

Bond Amounts in Terroristic Threat Cases

If you are arrested for making a terroristic threat in Denton County, one of your first concerns will be getting out of jail. Bond amounts vary depending on the specific charge and your criminal history.

Based on our analysis of bond data from nearby Tarrant County, where over 400 terroristic threat bonds have been set, the most common bond amounts are:

For terroristic threat of a family or household member (Texas Penal Code § 22.07(c)(1)), the most common bond set is $1,500, with an average bond of $3,238.

For terroristic threat causing fear of imminent serious bodily injury (Texas Penal Code § 22.07(c)), the most common bond set is $1,000, with an average bond of $2,228.

For terroristic threat against a peace officer or judge (Texas Penal Code § 22.07(c-1)), the most common bond set is $1,500, with an average bond of $15,083. The higher average reflects the seriousness of threatening public servants.

For terroristic threat to interrupt a public place (Texas Penal Code § 22.07(d)), the most common bond set is $1,500, with an average bond of $2,167.

Several factors can increase your bond amount. These include prior criminal history, failure to appear in court on previous cases, the severity of the threat, whether weapons were involved, and whether the alleged victim was injured or particularly vulnerable.

If your bond is set too high, your Denton County terroristic threat attorney can file a motion for bond reduction. We have successfully argued for lower bonds by demonstrating strong community ties, employment history, and lack of criminal record.

What Happens After an Arrest for Terroristic Threat

Understanding the criminal court process helps you know what to expect and how to prepare your defense.

First, you will be arrested and booked into the Denton County Jail. During booking, your personal information and fingerprints are recorded. You will appear before a magistrate within 48 hours for a probable cause hearing. This is when bail is typically set.

After posting bond and being released, you will receive a court date for your arraignment. At the arraignment, you will be formally advised of the charges against you and asked to enter a plea. This is not the time to argue your case. Your attorney will enter a plea of not guilty on your behalf.

Next comes the discovery phase. Your attorney will receive the state’s evidence, including witness statements, video or audio recordings of the threat, text messages, social media posts, and police reports. We review this evidence carefully to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

Depending on the strength of the evidence, your attorney may negotiate with the prosecutor for a dismissal, reduction of charges, or entry into a diversion program. If no favorable resolution can be reached, your case may proceed to trial.

At trial, the state has the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that you made the threat and that it caused the required level of fear. Your attorney will cross-examine witnesses, challenge the state’s evidence, and present your defense.

Don’t Wait — Get a Free Consultation. Call (817) 203-2220 to speak with an experienced Denton County criminal defense attorney.

Common Defenses to Terroristic Threat Charges

Just because you have been charged does not mean you will be convicted. There are several defenses that can result in dismissal or acquittal.

No Intent to Threaten

Under Texas law, the state must prove that you intended to place someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. If your words were taken out of context, misunderstood, or not meant as a threat, you may have a valid defense. For example, sarcastic comments, song lyrics, or venting frustration are not terroristic threats if there was no intent to cause fear.

First Amendment Protection

Not all offensive or disturbing speech is criminal. The First Amendment protects most forms of expression, including political speech, satire, and artistic expression. If your statement was constitutionally protected speech, your attorney can argue that the charge violates your First Amendment rights.

False Accusation

In domestic violence cases, false accusations of terroristic threat are common. People make up threats to gain advantage in custody disputes, to retaliate after a breakup, or to have someone removed from the home. If you never made the threat, your attorney can investigate the accuser’s motive and credibility.

Lack of Fear

The state must prove that the alleged victim actually feared imminent serious bodily injury. If the victim was not genuinely afraid, or if the fear was unreasonable under the circumstances, the charge should be dismissed. This defense is particularly strong when the alleged victim continued normal activities after the supposed threat or did not report it for days or weeks.

Insufficient Evidence

The prosecution must prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If they cannot prove that you made the threat, that it was communicated to the alleged victim, or that it caused the required level of fear, the charge cannot stand. In many cases, there is no recording, no witnesses, and only one person’s word against another.

Why Prosecutors Take These Cases Seriously

Even when threats are made in the heat of an argument or never intended to be carried out, prosecutors often pursue terroristic threat charges aggressively. This is especially true when the threat involves a family member, a public servant, or a school.

District attorneys are under pressure to appear tough on domestic violence and public safety threats. They view terroristic threat charges as a way to protect victims and prevent violence before it happens. This mindset means they are less likely to dismiss cases, even when the evidence is weak.

Additionally, many terroristic threat cases arise from heated domestic disputes. Prosecutors know that victims sometimes recant or refuse to cooperate, so they move quickly to file charges while the alleged victim is willing to testify. Once charges are filed, the case takes on a life of its own, even if the alleged victim no longer wants to pursue it.

This aggressive approach makes it critical to have a Denton County terroristic threat attorney who can push back from the beginning. We start building your defense the day you hire us.

Diversion Programs and Alternatives to Conviction

Depending on your criminal history and the facts of your case, you may be eligible for a diversion program that allows you to avoid a conviction.

Deferred adjudication is a form of probation where you plead guilty or no contest, but the judge does not enter a finding of guilt. If you successfully complete probation, the case is dismissed and you may be eligible to have the record sealed. This is often available for first-time offenders charged with misdemeanor terroristic threats.

Pretrial diversion programs allow you to complete certain requirements, such as anger management classes, community service, or counseling, in exchange for dismissal of the charges. These programs are typically available only for first-time offenders with no violent criminal history.

In domestic violence cases involving terroristic threats against a family member, you may be required to complete a Batterer’s Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP). While BIPP classes are not a guarantee of dismissal, completing them shows the court that you are taking responsibility and addressing the underlying issues.

Your attorney can negotiate for these alternatives and advocate for the best possible outcome based on your circumstances.

Case Examples from Our Firm

In August 2025, we represented a client who was under investigation for making a terroristic threat. Fort Worth Police Department was considering filing charges. We immediately contacted the investigating officer and the prosecutor assigned to review the case. After presenting evidence that the alleged threat was misunderstood and taken out of context, the case was not filed. Our client avoided arrest and has no criminal record.

These results do not guarantee similar outcomes in other cases, but they demonstrate what is possible with an experienced defense attorney who fights for you from day one.

Protect Your Rights and Your Record. Call (817) 203-2220 to speak with a Denton County assault lawyer who knows how to fight terroristic threat charges.

What to Expect From Varghese Summersett

When you hire Varghese Summersett, you get more than just a lawyer. You get a team of over 70 legal professionals across four Texas offices who are committed to protecting your rights and your future.

From the moment you contact us, we begin building your defense. We investigate the facts, interview witnesses, review all available evidence, and identify weaknesses in the state’s case. We have secured over 1,600 dismissals and more than 800 charge reductions because we prepare every case as if it will go to trial.

We have board-certified criminal defense attorneys with decades of trial experience. We know the prosecutors, the judges, and the local court procedures in Denton County. We use this knowledge to your advantage.

Our approach is aggressive but strategic. We negotiate when it benefits you and fight in court when necessary. We keep you informed at every step and answer your questions promptly. We understand that this is one of the most stressful times of your life, and we work to make the process as smooth as possible.

Most importantly, we treat you with respect and dignity. You are not just a case number to us. You are someone who deserves a strong defense and a fair outcome.

Our Track Record

Over the years, we have successfully defended clients charged with terroristic threat and related offenses throughout Texas. Our attorneys have secured dismissals, not guilty verdicts, reduced charges, and favorable plea agreements in hundreds of cases.

We have represented clients accused of threatening family members, peace officers, and public places. We have defended individuals charged with making threats online, over the phone, and in person. No two cases are the same, but our commitment to excellence never changes.

While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, our track record speaks for itself. When you need a defense attorney who knows how to win, you need Varghese Summersett.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be charged with terroristic threat if I never intended to carry out the threat?

Yes. Texas law does not require that you intended to actually commit the violence. The state only needs to prove that you made the threat with the intent to place someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Even if you were joking or blowing off steam, you can still be charged if the other person took it seriously.

What if the person I allegedly threatened does not want to press charges?

In Texas, victims do not decide whether charges are filed. That decision belongs to the prosecutor. Even if the alleged victim recants or refuses to cooperate, the state can still pursue the case if they believe they have enough evidence. However, an uncooperative victim can make the case much harder for the prosecution to prove.

Will I go to jail if I am convicted?

It depends on the specific charge, your criminal history, and the circumstances of the case. For a first-time Class A misdemeanor terroristic threat, you may be eligible for probation instead of jail time. However, if you are convicted of a third-degree felony terroristic threat (such as threatening a peace officer), prison time is much more likely. Your attorney can negotiate for alternatives to incarceration and advocate for the least restrictive outcome.

Can a terroristic threat charge be dismissed?

Yes. Terroristic threat charges are dismissed for many reasons, including lack of evidence, false accusations, constitutional violations, and successful negotiations with the prosecutor. If your attorney can show that the state cannot prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the charges should be dismissed. We have secured dismissals in numerous terroristic threat cases.

How long will this charge stay on my record?

If you are convicted, the charge will remain on your criminal record permanently unless you are eligible for and successfully obtain an expunction or nondisclosure order. If the charge is dismissed or you are acquitted, you may be eligible for an expunction, which removes the arrest and charge from your record as if it never happened. Your attorney can advise you on your eligibility for record clearing.

Contact a Denton County Terroristic Threat Lawyer Today

A terroristic threat charge is not something you should try to handle on your own. The stakes are too high. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the law, knows the local courts, and is prepared to fight for you.

Varghese Summersett has been defending clients in Denton County and throughout Texas for years. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to give you the best possible defense. We offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose by calling us today.

Your future is on the line. Let us help you protect it. Call (817) 203-2220 now to speak with a skilled lawyer who handles terroristic threat cases throughout Denton County.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. The decisions you make in the days after your arrest can have a lasting impact on the outcome of your case. Contact Varghese Summersett today for a free consultation and take the first step toward protecting your rights and your future.