Section 3-708 - Threat against State or local official. - Maryland Statutes

§ 3-708. Threat against State or local official.
 

(a)  Definitions.-  

(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 

(2) "Local official" means an individual serving in a publicly elected office of a local government unit, as defined in § 10-101 of the State Government Article. 

(3) (i) "State official" has the meaning stated in § 15-102 of the State Government Article. 

(ii) "State official" includes the Governor, Governor-elect, Lieutenant Governor, and Lieutenant Governor-elect. 

(4) "Threat" includes: 

(i) an oral threat; or 

(ii) a threat in any written form, whether or not the writing is signed, or if the writing is signed, whether or not it is signed with a fictitious name or any other mark. 

(b)  Prohibited - Making threat.- A person may not knowingly and willfully make a threat to take the life of, kidnap, or cause physical injury to a State official or local official. 

(c)  Same - Sending or delivering threat.- A person may not knowingly send, deliver, part with, or make for the purpose of sending or delivering a threat prohibited under subsection (b) of this section. 

(d)  Penalty.- A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $2,500 or both. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 561A; 2002, ch. 26, § 2.]