Federal law makes it a crime for you to send threatening communications (for example, sending a letter to someone where you threaten to injure that person’s property). Mailing threatening communications is a serious offense that is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. Please contact a skilled criminal defense attorney now if you are facing charges of committing a federal crime.

What is the Federal Crime of Mailing Threatening Communications?

18 USC 876 and 18 USC 877 are the federal statutes that set forth the crime of mailing threatening communications. Per these laws, you are guilty of a crime if you send certain types of threatening messages through the mail or in interstate or foreign commerce.

Examples of prohibited threats include a threat to:

  • Harm someone physically,
  • Kidnap someone,
  • Damage someone’s reputation,
  • Injure property, and
  • Accuse someone of a crime.

Please note that the law defines a “true threat” as a statement that communicates a serious intent to commit unlawful violence against an individual or group.

What are the Penalties?

The federal crime of mailing threatening communications is punishable by fines and imprisonment for up to 20 years.

Note that the specific penalties will depend on the nature of the threat and whether there was an intent to extort.

Can a Defendant Raise a Legal Defense?

Yes. You have the right to challenge any federal charge with a legal defense. A common defense for this crime is for you to show that your communication did not rise to a “true threat.” You can also try and prove that you lacked the intent to threaten someone when communicating your message.

Your criminal defense attorney can also try and show that the authorities violated your rights, maybe by:

  • Arresting you without probable cause,
  • Coercing a confession, or
  • Conducting an unlawful search and seizure.

If any of the above, your criminal defense lawyer can try to reduce your charges or get them dismissed.

Contact Black & Askerov for Help

While a defendant can raise a legal defense to challenge a charge of mailing a threatening communication, it will take a skilled criminal defense attorney to raise the best defense. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Black & Askerov have over 30 years of combined experience defending clients on various federal charges. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers also have the skill and commitment that makes all the difference in these cases. Contact us now to get the legal help you deserve!