Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2717 (2026)

Terrorism.

✓ current as of May 2026

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§ 2717. Terrorism.

(a) General rule.--A person is guilty of terrorism if he commits a violent offense intending to do any of the following:

(1) Intimidate or coerce a civilian population.

(2) Influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion.

(3) Affect the conduct of a government.

(b) Grading and penalty.--

(1) If the violent offense is a misdemeanor or a felony of the third or second degree, an offense under this section shall be classified one degree higher than the classification of the violent offense specified in section 106 (relating to classes of offenses).

(2) If the violent offense is a felony of the first degree, a person convicted of an offense under this section shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment fixed by the court at not more than 40 years and may be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $100,000.

(b.1) Forfeiture.--Each foreign or domestic asset related to terrorism, including the following, shall be subject to forfeiture under 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5803 (relating to asset forfeiture), 5805 (relating to forfeiture procedure), 5806 (relating to motion for return of property), 5807 (relating to restrictions on use), 5807.1 (relating to prohibition on adoptive seizures) and 5808 (relating to exceptions) and no property right shall exist in the asset:

(1) Each foreign or domestic asset:

(i) Of an individual, entity or organization engaged in planning or perpetrating an act in this Commonwealth which violates this section and each foreign or domestic asset affording a person a source of influence over the entity or organization.

(ii) Acquired or maintained by a person with the intent and for the purpose of supporting, planning, conducting or concealing an act in this Commonwealth which violates this section.

(iii) Derived from, involved in or used or intended to be used to commit an act in this Commonwealth which violates this section.

(2) Each asset within this Commonwealth:

(i) Of an individual, entity or organization engaged in planning or perpetrating an act which violates this section.

(ii) Acquired or maintained with the intent and for the purpose of supporting, planning, conducting or concealing an act which violates this section.

(iii) Derived from, involved in or used or intended to be used to commit an act which violates this section.

(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:

"Dangerous to human life or property." A violent act or an act which is intended to or likely to cause death, serious bodily injury or mass destruction.

"Mass destruction." An act which is intended to or likely to destroy or cause serious damage to transportation-related infrastructure or facilities, energy-related infrastructure or facilities, public or private buildings, places of public accommodation or public works under circumstances evincing depraved indifference to human life or property.

"Violent offense." An offense under this part, including an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit any such offense, which is punishable by imprisonment of more than one year and involves an act dangerous to human life or property.

(July 7, 2006, P.L.342, No.71, eff. 60 days; June 29, 2017, P.L.247, No.13, eff. July 1, 2017)

2017 Amendment. Act 13 added subsec. (b.1).

2006 Amendment. Act 71 added section 2717.

Cross References. Section 2717 is referred to in sections 5803, 9714 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 5 cases, 2015–2019 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Griffin, 149 A.3d 349 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).

Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment

Commonwealth v. Griffin, 149 A.3d 349 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016). “§ 2716(b) (relating to weapons of mass destruction), terrorism as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 2717(b)(2) (relating to terrorism), trafficking of persons when the offense is graded as a felony of the first degree as provided in 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth, Aplt v. Irland, J (Semi-Auto Pistol), 193 A.3d 370 (Pa. 2018). “, 18 Pa.C.S. § 2717(b.1) (assets relating to terrorism); id.”

TWL Realty, LLC & Keystone Corr. Servs., Inc. v. West Hanover Twp. ZHB v. Bd. of Supervisors of West Hanover Twp., 132 A.3d 533 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2016). “§ 2716(b) (relating to weapons of mass destruction), terrorism as de~ fined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 2717(b)(2) (relating to terrorism), trafficking of persons when the offense is graded as a felony of the first degree as provided in 18 Pa.”

Commonwealth v. Griffin, 207 A.3d 827 (Pa. 2019). · cites it 2× “§ 2716(b) (relating to weapons of mass destruction), terrorism as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 2717(b)(2) (relating to terrorism), trafficking of persons when the offense is graded as a felony of the first degree as provided in 18 Pa.”

Com. v. Roselli, F. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “§ 2716(b) (relating to weapons of mass destruction), terrorism as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 2717(b)(2) (relating to terrorism), trafficking of persons when the offense is graded as a felony of the first degree as provided in 18 Pa.”

— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 2717(b)(2) — 4 cases

Commonwealth v. Griffin, 207 A.3d 827 (Pa. 2019). “§ 2716(b) (relating to weapons of mass destruction), terrorism as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 2717(b)(2) (relating to terrorism), trafficking of persons when the offense is graded as a felony of the first degree as provided in 18 Pa.”

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