Extortion

Extortion

Criminal Law: Crimes Against Property Extortion

Introduction to Extortion

Extortion (or blackmail) differs from robbery in that the threats, stated or implied, that cause the victim to give money or property to the offender are not threats of immediate violence but rather threats of future harm. The intimidation might involve violence-for example, a threat to kill or injure the victim or a member of the victim’s family. Alternatively, the intimidation might consist of a threat to accuse the victim of a crime or to reveal a devastating secret about the victim.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Extortion

In this Section

Crimes Against Property (including Larceny, Embezzlement, False Pretenses, Property Robbery, Extortion, Receiving Stolen Property and Forgery) and Crimes Against the Habitation (Arson and Burglary).

Introduction to Extortion

Extortion, any form of taking or obtaining property from another person by means of illegal compulsion or oppressive exaction. In common law it is defined as a crime committed by an officer of the law, who, under cover of office, unlawfully takes any money or other valuable. In many states of the U.S., the term is still so defined by legal statutes. In other states, the statutes define the term in its broader sense to include the obtaining of property from another through a wrongful use of force or fear, or by pretense of right. The term is also used synonymously with blackmail, such as, for example, the extortion of money from a person by threats of exposure of wrongdoing. The crime of extortion is punishable by fine and imprisonment and subjects the offender to removal from office.

In the U.S., the Federal Extortion Statute of July 8, 1932, makes it a criminal offense to use the mails for the purpose of extortion.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Extortion


Posted

in

, ,

by

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *