# Criminal Law (GCR)

## Title 3. Other Crimes Against the Person

### Subtitle 7. Extortion and Other Threats

#### Section 3-708

(a)

  (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 Sec. 10-101 of the State Government Article.

  (3)

    (i) "State official" has the meaning stated in Sec. 5-101 of the General Provisions 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) A person may not knowingly and willfully make a threat to take the life of, kidnap, or cause physical injury to a State official, a local official, a deputy State's Attorney, an assistant State's Attorney, or an assistant Public Defender.

(c) 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) 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.

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Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)