Prosecutive Policy for Threats to Destroy Aircraft
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DOJ Justice Manual › Title 9: Criminal › 9-63.000 - Protection Of Public Order › Justice Manual § 9-63.231
Text
Subsection (c) of Title 18, section 32 prohibits the willful imparting or conveying of threats to do anything to destroy or damage aircraft or aircraft facilities which would violate paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) or paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b). The threat must be made "with an apparent determination and will to carry the threat into execution."
As with the offense of communicating false information regarding aircraft piracy (See
JM 9-63.171
), if there is no reason to believe that the individual has the motivation or ability to carry out the threat, there is no reason to expend the resources of the Federal government in criminally prosecuting such an individual. If, however, the threat is issued under circumstances where a reasonable person would believe that it would be carried out and the threat involves an action that would likely endanger the safety of the aircraft, such conduct should be prosecuted vigorously.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.