In Georgia, a terroristic threat means threatening violence, property damage, or releasing hazardous materials to cause fear or disruption. It can be a misdemeanor or felony. A Newnan lawyer can fight charges and protect your future.
A single statement can carry severe legal consequences—especially if it’s perceived as a terroristic threat under Georgia law. Whether it was a moment of anger, a misinterpreted message, or a statement taken out of context, a charge under O.C.G.A. § 16-11-37 can upend your life. At J. Ryan Brown Law, we defend clients in Newnan and throughout Georgia who are facing allegations of making criminal threats—whether verbal, written, or online.
If you’re under investigation or have been charged, call us. You don’t have to face the system alone.
Under Georgia Code § 16-11-37, a person commits the offense of terroristic threats when they threaten to:
… and they do so with the intent to terrorize, to cause an evacuation, or to inflict serious public inconvenience—or with reckless disregard for those outcomes.
You don’t need to follow through on the threat. Simply making the statement with the wrong intent is enough for the state to charge you. And while context matters, the law doesn’t require that an overt threat of death or bodily injury was made.
If the threat suggests death, the charge is elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony, with a sentencing range of 1 to 5 years in prison.
Examples of what may be charged as a terroristic threat:
Georgia law also recognizes terroristic acts, which go beyond verbal or written threats. Under § 16-11-37(c), this includes:
These are felony offenses that carry 1 to 10 years in prison, and if someone is seriously injured as a result, the sentence increases to 5 to 40 years and a potential fine of $250,000.
This is where things get especially dangerous. If the state can link your actions—online or in person—to panic, injury, or disruption, your exposure skyrockets.
Here’s how Georgia breaks down the sentencing for terroristic threat and terroristic act charges:
If the act was done to retaliate against or intimidate:
These are not “slap-on-the-wrist” cases. If your charge involves alleged retaliation or disruption to a court, government agency, or public event, prosecutors will pursue them aggressively.
In today’s world, threats made via email, social media, or messaging apps can land you in court just as quickly as spoken words. Under § 16-11-37.1, it’s illegal to:
“Furnish or disseminate… any information designed to encourage, solicit, or otherwise promote terroristic acts” via a computer or network.
This includes posting images, videos, or verbal messages meant to incite violence or panic—even if you didn’t create them.
If the content is connected to a terroristic retaliation scenario, the penalties increase to up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
To convict you of a terroristic threat, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:
However, you cannot be convicted based solely on the word of the person you allegedly threatened. Georgia law requires additional corroborating evidence, such as:
If the prosecution lacks that backup, your defense attorney may be able to get the charges reduced—or dismissed entirely.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we take a tailored, aggressive approach to defending clients accused of threats or disruptive behavior. Depending on the circumstances, possible defenses may include:
We’ll investigate every angle, review communications, interview witnesses, and challenge the state’s evidence—starting on day one.
It’s tempting to think these are “just threats” and not serious crimes. But Georgia courts treat terroristic threats and acts as crimes against public order, not just individual disputes. That means:
You need a lawyer who’s not only ready to push back against the narrative, but to attack the legal foundations of the charge itself.
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When the government is accusing you of threatening harm, you need someone who knows how to fight back—someone who will stand up to overcharges, hold the prosecution accountable, and tell your side of the story.
At J. Ryan Brown Law, we bring:
Our firm defends clients in Newnan and throughout Coweta County facing serious charges like terroristic threats, aggravated stalking, and violent felonies.
Whether you were arrested after a heated argument, charged after a social media post, or accused of something you didn’t do, you need a defense attorney—right now.
Call J. Ryan Brown Law today to schedule a confidential consultation. We’ll explain your rights, evaluate your case, and get to work building your defense. You’re not just a case file—you’re a person with a future worth protecting.
