Summary of changes
Article 115 — Communicating threats
The text as it stood in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition beside the current text, provision by provision, with every recorded amendment and the authority behind it — the whole Article in one view.
0 amended
0 added
0 removed
40 unchanged
No changes recorded for this Article —
its text is the same as the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition.
Showing every provision.
Provisions
53.a.
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Original text
Text of statute.
Current text
Text of statute.
53.a.(a)
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Original text
COMMUNICATING THREATS GENERALLY.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully communicates a threat to injure the person, property, or reputation of another shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
Current text
COMMUNICATING THREATS GENERALLY.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully communicates a threat to injure the person, property, or reputation of another shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
53.a.(b)
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Original text
COMMUNICATING THREAT TO USE EXPLOSIVE, ETC.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully communicates a threat to injure the person or property of another by use of
Current text
COMMUNICATING THREAT TO USE EXPLOSIVE, ETC.—Any person subject to this chapter who wrongfully communicates a threat to injure the person or property of another by use of
53.a.(b)(1)
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Original text
an explosive, (2) a weapon of mass destruction, (3) a biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon, or (4) a hazardous material, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
Current text
an explosive, (2) a weapon of mass destruction, (3) a biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon, or (4) a hazardous material, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
53.a.(c)
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Original text
COMMUNICATING FALSE THREAT CONCERNING USE OF EXPLOSIVE, ETC.— Any person subject to this chapter who maliciously communicates a false threat concerning injury to the person or property of another by use of (1) an explosive, (2) a weapon of mass destruction, (3) a biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon, or (4) a hazardous material, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. As used in the preceding sentence, the term “false threat” means a threat that, at the time the threat is communicated, is known to be false by the person communicating the threat.
Current text
COMMUNICATING FALSE THREAT CONCERNING USE OF EXPLOSIVE, ETC.— Any person subject to this chapter who maliciously communicates a false threat concerning injury to the person or property of another by use of (1) an explosive, (2) a weapon of mass destruction, (3) a biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon, or (4) a hazardous material, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. As used in the preceding sentence, the term “false threat” means a threat that, at the time the threat is communicated, is known to be false by the person communicating the threat.
53.b.
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Elements.
Current text
Elements.
53.b.(1)
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Threats generally.
Current text
Threats generally.
53.b.(1)(a)
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Original text
That the accused communicated certain language expressing a present determination or intent to injure the person, property, or reputation of another person, presently or in the future;
Current text
That the accused communicated certain language expressing a present determination or intent to injure the person, property, or reputation of another person, presently or in the future;
53.b.(1)(b)
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Original text
That the communication was made known to that person or to a third person; and
Current text
That the communication was made known to that person or to a third person; and
53.b.(1)(c)
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That the communication was wrongful.
Current text
That the communication was wrongful.
53.b.(2)
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Threat to use explosive, etc.
Current text
Threat to use explosive, etc.
53.b.(2)(a)
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That the accused communicated certain language;
Current text
That the accused communicated certain language;
53.b.(2)(b)
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Original text
That the information communicated amounted to a threat;
Current text
That the information communicated amounted to a threat;
53.b.(2)(c)
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Original text
That the harm threatened was to be done by means of an explosive; weapon of mass destruction; biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon; or hazardous material; and
Current text
That the harm threatened was to be done by means of an explosive; weapon of mass destruction; biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon; or hazardous material; and
53.b.(2)(d)
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That the communication was wrongful.
Current text
That the communication was wrongful.
53.b.(3)
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Original text
False threats concerning use of explosives, etc.
Current text
False threats concerning use of explosives, etc.
53.b.(3)(a)
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Original text
That the accused communicated or conveyed certain information;
Current text
That the accused communicated or conveyed certain information;
53.b.(3)(b)
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Original text
That the information communicated or conveyed concerned an attempt being made or to be made by means of an explosive; weapon of mass destruction; biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon; or hazardous material, to unlawfully kill, injure, or intimidate a person or to unlawfully damage or destroy certain property;
Current text
That the information communicated or conveyed concerned an attempt being made or to be made by means of an explosive; weapon of mass destruction; biological or chemical agent, substance, or weapon; or hazardous material, to unlawfully kill, injure, or intimidate a person or to unlawfully damage or destroy certain property;
53.b.(3)(c)
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That the information communicated or conveyed by the accused was false and that the accused then knew it to be false; and
Current text
That the information communicated or conveyed by the accused was false and that the accused then knew it to be false; and
53.b.(3)(d)
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That the communication of the information by the accused was malicious.
Current text
That the communication of the information by the accused was malicious.
53.c.
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Explanation.
Current text
Explanation.
53.c.(1)
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Original text
Threat.
A “threat” means an expressed present determination or intent to kill, injure, or intimidate a person or to damage or destroy certain property presently or in the future. The communication must be one that a reasonable person would understand as expressing a present determination or intent to wrongfully injure the person, property, or reputation of another person, presently or in the future. Proof that the accused actually intended to kill, injure, intimidate, damage or destroy is not required.
Current text
Threat.
A “threat” means an expressed present determination or intent to kill, injure, or intimidate a person or to damage or destroy certain property presently or in the future. The communication must be one that a reasonable person would understand as expressing a present determination or intent to wrongfully injure the person, property, or reputation of another person, presently or in the future. Proof that the accused actually intended to kill, injure, intimidate, damage or destroy is not required.
53.c.(2)
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Wrongful.
A communication must be wrongful in order to constitute this offense. The wrongfulness of the communication relates to the accused’s subjective intent. For purposes of this paragraph, the mental state requirement is satisfied if the accused transmitted the communication for the purpose of issuing a threat or with knowledge that the communication will be viewed as a threat. A statement made under circumstances that reveal it to be in jest or for an innocent or legitimate purpose that contradicts the expressed intent to commit the act is not wrongful. Nor is the offense committed by the mere statement of intent to commit an unlawful act not involving a threat.
Current text
Wrongful.
A communication must be wrongful in order to constitute this offense. The wrongfulness of the communication relates to the accused’s subjective intent. For purposes of this paragraph, the mental state requirement is satisfied if the accused transmitted the communication for the purpose of issuing a threat or with knowledge that the communication will be viewed as a threat. A statement made under circumstances that reveal it to be in jest or for an innocent or legitimate purpose that contradicts the expressed intent to commit the act is not wrongful. Nor is the offense committed by the mere statement of intent to commit an unlawful act not involving a threat.
53.c.(3)
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Explosive.
“Explosive” means gunpowder, powders used for blasting, all forms of high explosives, blasting materials, fuses (other than electrical circuit breakers), detonators, and other detonating agents, smokeless powders, any explosive bomb, grenade, missile, or similar device, and any incendiary bomb or grenade, fire bomb, or similar device, and any other explosive compound, mixture, or similar material.
Current text
Explosive.
“Explosive” means gunpowder, powders used for blasting, all forms of high explosives, blasting materials, fuses (other than electrical circuit breakers), detonators, and other detonating agents, smokeless powders, any explosive bomb, grenade, missile, or similar device, and any incendiary bomb or grenade, fire bomb, or similar device, and any other explosive compound, mixture, or similar material.
53.c.(4)
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Original text
Weapon of mass destruction.
A “weapon of mass destruction” means any device, explosive or otherwise, that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of: toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors; a disease organism; or radiation or radioactivity.
Current text
Weapon of mass destruction.
A “weapon of mass destruction” means any device, explosive or otherwise, that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of: toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors; a disease organism; or radiation or radioactivity.
53.c.(5)
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Original text
Biological agent.
The term “biological agent” means any microorganism (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiac, or protozoa), pathogen, or infectious substance, and any naturally occurring, bioengineered, or synthesized component of any such micro-organism, pathogen, or infectious substance, whatever its origin or method of production, that is capable of causing—
Current text
Biological agent.
The term “biological agent” means any microorganism (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, rickettsiac, or protozoa), pathogen, or infectious substance, and any naturally occurring, bioengineered, or synthesized component of any such micro-organism, pathogen, or infectious substance, whatever its origin or method of production, that is capable of causing—
53.c.(5)(a)
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Original text
death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant, or another living organism;
Current text
death, disease, or other biological malfunction in a human, an animal, a plant, or another living organism;
53.c.(5)(b)
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deterioration of food, water, equipment, supplies, or materials of any kind; or
Current text
deterioration of food, water, equipment, supplies, or materials of any kind; or
53.c.(5)(c)
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Original text
deleterious alteration of the environment.
Current text
deleterious alteration of the environment.
53.c.(6)
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Original text
Chemical agent, substance, or weapon.
A “chemical agent, substance, or weapon” refers to a toxic chemical and its precursors or a munition or device, specifically designed to cause death or other harm through toxic properties of those chemicals that would be released as a result of the employment of such munition or device, and any equipment specifically designed for use directly in connection with the employment of such munitions or devices.
Current text
Chemical agent, substance, or weapon.
A “chemical agent, substance, or weapon” refers to a toxic chemical and its precursors or a munition or device, specifically designed to cause death or other harm through toxic properties of those chemicals that would be released as a result of the employment of such munition or device, and any equipment specifically designed for use directly in connection with the employment of such munitions or devices.
53.c.(7)
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Hazardous material.
A substance or material (including explosive, radioactive material, etiologic agent, flammable or combustible liquid or solid, poison, oxidizing or corrosive material, and compressed gas, or mixture thereof) or a group or class of material designated as hazardous by the Secretary of Transportation.
Current text
Hazardous material.
A substance or material (including explosive, radioactive material, etiologic agent, flammable or combustible liquid or solid, poison, oxidizing or corrosive material, and compressed gas, or mixture thereof) or a group or class of material designated as hazardous by the Secretary of Transportation.
53.c.(8)
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Original text
Malicious.
A communication is malicious if the accused believed that the information would probably interfere with the peaceful use of the building, vehicle, aircraft, or other property concerned, or would cause fear or concern to one or more persons.
Current text
Malicious.
A communication is malicious if the accused believed that the information would probably interfere with the peaceful use of the building, vehicle, aircraft, or other property concerned, or would cause fear or concern to one or more persons.
53.d.
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Maximum punishment.
Current text
Maximum punishment.
53.d.(1)
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Threats and false threats generally.
Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 3 years.
Current text
Threats and false threats generally.
Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 3 years.
53.d.(2)
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Original text
Threats and false threats concerning use of explosives, etc.
Dishonorable discharge, forfeitures of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 10 years.
Current text
Threats and false threats concerning use of explosives, etc.
Dishonorable discharge, forfeitures of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 10 years.
53.e.
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Sample specification s.
Current text
Sample specification s.
53.e.(1)
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Original text
Threats generally.
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, wrongfully communicate to __________ a threat (to injure _____ by _____) (to accuse _____ of having committed the offense of _____) (_____).
Current text
Threats generally.
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data), did, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, wrongfully communicate to __________ a threat (to injure _____ by _____) (to accuse _____ of having committed the offense of _____) (_____).
53.e.(2)
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Original text
Threats concerning use of explosives, etc.
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data) did, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, wrongfully communicate certain information, to wit: __________, which language constituted a threat to harm a person or property by means of a(n) [explosive; weapon of mass destruction; biological agent, substance, or weapon; chemical agent, substance, or weapon; and/or
Current text
Threats concerning use of explosives, etc.
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data) did, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, wrongfully communicate certain information, to wit: __________, which language constituted a threat to harm a person or property by means of a(n) [explosive; weapon of mass destruction; biological agent, substance, or weapon; chemical agent, substance, or weapon; and/or
53.e.(2)(a)
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Original text
hazardous material(s)].
Current text
hazardous material(s)].
53.e.(3)
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Original text
False threats concerning use of explosives, etc.
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data) did, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, maliciously (communicate) (convey) certain information concerning an attempt being made or to be made to unlawfully [(kill) (injure) (intimidate) __________ ] [(damage) (destroy) __________ ] by means of a(n) [explosive; weapon of mass destruction; biological agent, substance, or weapon; chemical agent, substance, or weapon; and/or (a) hazardous material(s)], to wit: __________, which information was false and which the accused then knew to be false.
Current text
False threats concerning use of explosives, etc.
In that __________ (personal jurisdiction data) did, (at/on board—location) (subject-matter jurisdiction data, if required), on or about _____ 20 __, maliciously (communicate) (convey) certain information concerning an attempt being made or to be made to unlawfully [(kill) (injure) (intimidate) __________ ] [(damage) (destroy) __________ ] by means of a(n) [explosive; weapon of mass destruction; biological agent, substance, or weapon; chemical agent, substance, or weapon; and/or (a) hazardous material(s)], to wit: __________, which information was false and which the accused then knew to be false.
“Original text” is the state captured the first time a provision was edited under change tracking — i.e. the text as published in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition. Provisions edited without being “marked as changed” (typos, formatting) are not recorded here; see the recent revisions feed and the site-wide changes log.