Terrorist Law and Legal Definition
A Terrorist is a person, usually a member of a group, who uses or advocates terrorism. Terrorism is, in the most general sense, the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion. Terrorism is practiced by a broad array of political organizations for furthering their objectives. It has been practiced by both right-wing and left-wing political parties, nationalistic groups, religious groups, revolutionaries, and ruling governments. One form is the use of violence against noncombatants for the purpose of gaining publicity for a group, cause, or individual.
The following is an example of a statute defining the term:
The term "terrorism" means any activity that--
(A) involves an act that--
(i) is dangerous to human life or potentially destructive of critical
infrastructure or key resources; and(ii) is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State or other subdivision of the United States; and
(B) appears to be intended--
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.[6 USCS § 101]
Legal Definition list
Related Legal Terms
- Agroterrorist Act
- Designated Foreign Terrorist Organization [DFTO]
- Engaging in Terrorist Activity
- Foreign Terrorist Organizations [FTOs]
- Terrorist Activity
- Terrorist Designations Unit [Department of State]
- Terrorist Interdiction Program [TIP]
- Terrorist Organization
- Terrorist Representative
- Terrorist Screening Center
