Extortion generally refers to the crime of illegally acquiring money, services or property from another person or institution through coercion, force, or intimidation. The most common form of extortion is known as “blackmail.”
Coercion in extortion or blackmail includes the demand for money by threatening:
- Future violence or physical harm
- Making false criminal accusations
- Revealing disgracing or embarrassing facts
- Revealing secrets
Extortion is not simply threatening someone. It is an extortion crime when a person demands something of the party he or she is threatening, such as in: “if you don’t do/give me this, I will do this”
The extortion does not have to have been completed in order to be convicted. Attempted extortion carries the same penalties.
Extortion Penalties
Depending on the circumstances of the offense, a person convicted of extortion in California, could be charged with a misdemeanor and face up to a year in county jail, or charged with a felony and subject to a maximum four-year sentence in state prison.
An experienced extortion defense attorney can help you avoid these penalties.
How a White Collar Crime Defense Attorney Can Help You
Being convicted of extortion in California can severely jeopardize your personal, professional, and financial future. In many cases, extortion allegations are the result of some misunderstood action or are falsely made. This does not stop the prosecution from aggressively pursuing a conviction. The attorneys at the Law Offices of David A. Stein will evaluate the strength of the case against you and will help you understand your possible defense options for the specific charges.
An attorney experienced in extortion defense can mount a successful case that potentially results in charges being dropped or reduced, or results an acquittal in a jury trial. Orange County defense attorney David A. Stein has the experience to successfully defend white collar crime charges, including extortion or blackmail. Our attorneys work aggressively to help you navigate the Orange County criminal justice system and to achieve the most successful outcome.
Speak to Mr. Stein about your case today in a no-cost consultation, Call (949) 445-0040. Or, contact us online here.
