Threats intended to intimidate or coerce others are classified as which offense?

• A. Bomb Threat
• B. Terroristic Threats
• C. False Public Alarms
• D. Possession Presumption

Answer: (B)

Threats intended to intimidate or coerce others are described as terroristic threats in New Jersey law. The essential idea is that the offense punishes someone who communicates a threat to commit a crime of violence with the purpose of frightening the recipient or pressuring them to act a certain way. The fear and potential disruption caused by the threat itself are enough for the crime to occur, even if no harm actually happens. It also covers threats designed to cause evacuations or public disturbances.

This differs from a bomb threat, which is a specific type of threat focused on a bomb and triggers separate charges, and from false public alarms, which involve falsely signaling danger to cause a disruption. A possession presumption has to do with evidentiary rules about ownership or control and not with threatening someone.