Terrorist Threat of the Public or Government – Felony – Juvenile Court
Result: Case dismissed
My client was 14 years old when he was accused of the felony Terroristic Threat, specifically, he was accused of threatening to place the public in fear, influencing government, or causing interruption to public services. Several students claimed that my client threatened to shoot them and to shoot other students at school.
This case was complicated and required a thorough investigation into the evidence. Our position was that my client was attacked, and he made such threats only in self-defense. He did not have any intention of shooting other students on the bus or at school the next day.
My client was 14 years old, riding a school bus on his way home from school. Several students riding the bus were out of their seats and horsing around. An altercation between my client and other bus riders started this case. My client threw an empty plastic water bottle that hit the sister of another student. When the student (brother) went to confront my client for hitting his sister, he assaulted my client. My client was pushed, and his head slammed into the window of the bus.
My client was shocked by the assault and began to get emotionally upset. While he was upset, other students started to laugh at him. Luckily, the entire incident was recorded, and we were able to use the recordings in our defense.
The state argued that my client threatened to shoot other students on the bus and even threatened to shoot them if they attended school the next day. Prosecutors alleged my client was a threat to the school and the public – our position was that he just got assaulted and possibly said some things that he should not have said. We argued that my client had no real intention of shooting anyone or shooting students at school the next day. He had just been assaulted and was not thinking clearly at the time.
This case was extremely important to my client and to his extended family. The state offered deferred adjudication, where my client would avoid jail but be on probation. I recommended to the family that we continue fighting the case, even if it meant going to trial. Thankfully, the family trusted me and took my advice. After a few court settings, I was able to show the prosecutor the video surveillance and explain that my client was the one who was attacked. I argued that the case should be dismissed.
Finally, I convinced the prosecutor to dismiss the case. My client and his family got the resolution that they all hoped for. My client’s case was dismissed, and he could move on with his life.
As a former teacher, I understand how juvenile cases that occur at a school or on school property can become complicated. That is why it is important that you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who has handled similar cases in the past. Felony Juvenile case dismissed. Contact us for a consultation today.
