I made a fake threat on a videogame

[andezack]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MN
so basically two months ago I was in a videogame and made a fake threat. Now two months later I was just confronted by a FBI agent and two cops at school. I am under 18. The threat I made was to a random school in texas. I was questioned today about it. What type of criminal charges could I face?

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MN
so basically two months ago I was in a videogame and made a fake threat. Now two months later I was just confronted by a FBI agent and two cops at school. I am under 18. The threat I made was to a random school in texas. I was questioned today about it. What type of criminal charges could I face?

Terroristic threats.

Have your parents contacted an attorney for you? You should not speak to law enforcement officers without your attorney present. If questioned, exercise your right to remain silent.

 

[quincy]

Here is a link to the law: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes?id=609.713

 

[Taxing Matters]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MN
so basically two months ago I was in a videogame and made a fake threat. Now two months later I was just confronted by a FBI agent and two cops at school. I am under 18. The threat I made was to a random school in texas. I was questioned today about it. What type of criminal charges could I face?

I should think that with all the news about attacks at school teens would know by now that making any kind of threat about attacking a school is likely to land them in serious legal trouble. In the current environment they are going to treat every threat as though the person meant it; saying you made a “fake” threat is not going to get you a lot of sympathy. You’re an adult so if charges are filed you’ll be facing adult consequences for this, not a juvenile delinquency proceeding. Probably a good idea to start scouting out lawyers in the event something further comes out of this.

 

[quincy]

I should think that with all the news about attacks at school teens would know by now that making any kind of threat about attacking a school is likely to land them in serious legal trouble. In the current environment they are going to treat every threat as though the person meant it; saying you made a “fake” threat is not going to get you a lot of sympathy. You’re an adult so if charges are filed you’ll be facing adult consequences for this, not a juvenile delinquency proceeding. Probably a good idea to start scouting out lawyers in the event something further comes out of this.

Those who post these threats are not exactly known for being mental giants.

 

[Zigner]

It's unfortunate that it took two months for the OP to be contacted.

 

[quincy]

It's unfortunate that it took two months for the OP to be contacted.

I guess one can hope he was under surveillance before then.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

18 U.S.C. 875 also contains federal laws on the issue when the threat is made via interstate commerce which a video game would be.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

18 U.S.C. 875 also contains federal laws on the issue when the threat is made via interstate commerce which a video game would be.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/875

 

[quincy]

18 U.S.C. 875 also contains federal laws on the issue when the threat is made via interstate commerce which a video game would be.

Intent to harm is an important element of the crime.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

(c)Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

 

[quincy]

(c)Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to injure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

Intent must be considered. See: Elonis v United States.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/13-983