Blackmail and Extortion Laws by State (2026)
How each state charges blackmail (extortion) and the maximum penalties, from each state criminal code.
| State | Blackmail (extortion) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Blackmail is called extortion in Alabama: knowingly getting control over someone's property by a threat, intending to deprive them of it. Extortion in the first degree (a threat to cause physical harm to a person, or to subject a person to physical confinement or restraint) is a Class B felony (2 to 20 years). Extortion by the other listed threats (for example, to damage property, commit another crime, accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret or reveal information the victim wants hidden) is second degree, a Class C felony (1 year and 1 day to 10 years). Criminal coercion (threatening injury, confinement, or harm to property or reputation to force someone to do or not do something) is a Class A misdemeanor. Ala. Code §§ 13A-8-13, 13A-8-14, 13A-8-15, 13A-6-25, 13A-5-6 |
| Alaska | Blackmail is called extortion in Alaska: obtaining another's property by threatening or suggesting that someone will, for example, cause physical injury or commit another crime, accuse anyone of a crime, expose a secret or confidential information that would bring hatred, contempt or ridicule or harm credit or business reputation, or misuse official action. Extortion is a Class B felony (up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000). Using the same kinds of threats to force someone to do or not do something they have a legal right to choose is coercion, a Class C felony (up to five years, up to $50,000). Honestly claiming restitution or compensation is a defense to some extortion threats. AS 11.41.520, 11.41.530; AS 12.55.035, 12.55.125, 12.55.135 |
| Arizona | Blackmail is called theft by extortion: knowingly obtaining or seeking property or services by threatening to cause injury, damage property, commit another offense, accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret or damaging claim (including on social media), take or withhold official action, or make someone part with property. It is a class 4 felony (presumptive 2.5 years for a first offense), but a class 2 felony (presumptive 5 years) if the threat is to cause death or serious injury, or injury with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument. It is a defense to threats of accusation, exposure or official action that a reasonable person would believe the threat was a reasonable accusation, exposure or lawsuit. A.R.S. §§ 13-1804, 13-702(D) |
| Arkansas | Arkansas treats extortion as theft by threat. Obtaining property by threat is a Class C felony (3 to 10 years), and a Class B felony (5 to 20 years) if the threat is of serious physical injury or destruction of an occupiable structure. Sexual extortion (coercing sexual contact, or demanding payment by threatening to distribute an explicit recording) is a Class B felony. Ark. Code §§ 5-36-103(b)(1)(B), (b)(2)(B); 5-14-113 |
| California | Blackmail is extortion in California: using force, or threatening to unlawfully injure a person or property, accuse someone (or their relative) of a crime, or expose a secret or disgrace, to get someone's consent to hand over money, property or anything of value (including sexual conduct or intimate images) or to do an official act. Extortion is a felony punishable by 2, 3 or 4 years. Cal. Pen. Code §§ 518, 519, 520; CALCRIM No. 1830 |
| Colorado | Blackmail is criminal extortion in Colorado: without legal authority, making a substantial threat to confine, restrain, cause economic hardship or bodily injury, or damage someone's property or reputation, by an unlawful act or by invoking action by a third party (such as the government), to force them to act or not act; threatening to report someone's immigration status to get money or compel action also counts. Criminal extortion is a class 4 felony (2 to 6 years). Aggravated criminal extortion, using threats of chemical, biological or radioactive agents, weapons or poison, is a class 3 felony (4 to 12 years). C.R.S. § 18-3-207 |
| Connecticut | Blackmail or extortion, getting property by making someone afraid that you or another will injure someone, damage property, commit a crime, accuse them of a crime, expose a secret, or take similar harmful action, is charged as larceny by extortion. Larceny by extortion is larceny in the first degree regardless of the value taken, a Class B felony punishable by one to twenty years and a $15,000 fine. Coercion (forcing someone to do or not do something through similar threats, without taking property) is a Class A misdemeanor, or a Class D felony if the threat is to commit a felony. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-119(5), 53a-122, 53a-192; Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a, 53a-36, 53a-41, 53a-42 |
| Delaware | Blackmail is charged as extortion: obtaining property by making someone fear that the defendant or another will injure someone, damage property, commit a crime, accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret, abuse a public office, or otherwise harm the victim's health, business, reputation or relationships. Extortion is a class E felony (up to 5 years), or a class D felony (up to 8 years) if the victim is 62 or older. Coercion, forcing someone to act or not act through similar threats without obtaining property, is a class A misdemeanor. 11 Del. C. §§ 791, 846; 11 Del. C. §§ 4205, 4206 |
| District of Columbia | D.C. has separate blackmail and extortion crimes. Blackmail is threatening to accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret or embarrassing fact, damage someone's reputation, distribute a photo, video or audio recording, or report someone's immigration or citizenship status, in order to get property or force them to act or not act; it is punishable by up to 5 years, a fine, or both. Extortion, getting property through wrongful use of actual or threatened force or violence, threatened economic injury, or under color of official right, is punishable by up to 10 years, a fine, or both. D.C. Code §§ 22-3251, 22-3252 |
| Florida | Florida charges blackmail as extortion: maliciously threatening, verbally or in writing, to accuse someone of a crime, injure their person, property or reputation, expose them to disgrace, or reveal a secret, in order to get money or any advantage or to force someone to do or not do something. Extortion is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It is a first-degree felony if committed by a foreign agent intending to benefit a foreign country of concern. Fla. Stat. § 836.05; Fla. Stat. §§ 775.082, 775.083 |
| Georgia | Georgia charges blackmail as theft by extortion: unlawfully obtaining property from another by threatening to injure someone or commit another crime, accuse someone of a crime, disclose information that would expose someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule or impair their credit or business reputation, take or withhold official action, bring about a strike or boycott in certain circumstances, or testify or withhold testimony about someone's legal claim or defense. It is punished 'by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years.' O.C.G.A. § 16-8-16 |
| Hawaii | Hawaii charges blackmail as extortion: obtaining someone's property, labor or services by threatening, among other things, to injure someone, damage property, commit a crime, accuse someone of an offense, expose a secret or embarrassing fact, or reveal information the person wants concealed. Extortion in the third degree is a misdemeanor; second degree (value over $50 in any twelve months) is a class C felony; first degree (value over $200 in any twelve months, or extortionate lending or collection) is a class B felony. HRS §§ 707-764, 707-765, 707-766, 707-767; HRS §§ 706-660, 706-663, 706-640 |
| Idaho | Blackmail is charged as theft by extortion in Idaho: getting someone to hand over property by making them fear that the person will, for example, hurt someone, damage property, accuse them of a crime, expose a secret or embarrassing fact, or abuse a public office. Any property obtained by extortion is grand theft regardless of value, a felony punishable by a fine up to $5,000 and/or one (1) to fourteen (14) years in state prison. Extortion by threatening future physical injury, property damage, or misuse of a public servant's position is punished more severely: a fine up to $10,000 and/or one (1) to twenty (20) years. Idaho Code §§ 18-2403(2)(e), 18-2407(1)(a), (1)(b)5., 18-2408(1), (2)(a) |
| Illinois | Blackmail and extortion are mainly charged as intimidation in Illinois: communicating a threat, with intent to make someone do or not do something, to physically harm a person or property, confine someone, commit a felony or Class A misdemeanor, accuse someone of a crime, expose someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule, misuse official power, or start a strike or boycott. Intimidation is a Class 3 felony for which the offender may be sentenced to not less than 2 years and not more than 10 years in prison. Obtaining property by threat is also theft, graded by value. 720 ILCS 5/12-6; 720 ILCS 5/16-1(a)(3) |
| Indiana | Blackmail and extortion are charged as intimidation in Indiana: communicating a threat with the intent to make someone act against their will, to place someone in fear of retaliation for a lawful act, or to make someone fear the threat will be carried out. A "threat" includes threatening to injure someone or damage property, commit a crime, withhold official action or testimony, expose a person to hatred, contempt, disgrace or ridicule, or falsely harm someone's credit or business reputation. Intimidation is a Class A misdemeanor; it is a Level 6 felony if, for example, the threat is to commit a forcible felony, targets a witness, or relates to the victim's job, and a Level 5 felony if the person draws or uses a deadly weapon or threatens a judge or prosecutor. Ind. Code § 35-45-2-1(a)-(c) (IPAC compilation, Indiana Code 2022) |
| Iowa | Extortion is threatening, to get anything of value, to physically injure someone or commit a crime, accuse someone of a crime, expose someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule, harm someone's credit or reputation, take or withhold official action, give or withhold testimony, or wrongfully damage property. Extortion is a class "D" felony (up to five years and a fine of $1,025 to $10,245). It is a defense (except for threats to commit a crime) that the person reasonably believed they had a right to make the threat to recover property or a debt they had a good-faith claim to. A person convicted of extortion must register as a sex offender if the offense is found to have been sexually motivated. Iowa Code § 711.4 (Iowa Code 2026) |
| Kansas | Blackmail is intentionally gaining or trying to gain anything of value, or forcing someone to act against their will, by threatening to communicate accusations or statements that would subject a person to public ridicule, contempt or degradation; this is a severity level 7, nonperson felony. Threatening to spread a video, photo or image obtained through unlawful voyeurism (breach of privacy) is a severity level 4, person felony. Obtaining property by threat can also be charged as theft, graded by value. K.S.A. 21-5428; 21-5801(a)(3) |
| Kentucky | Blackmail and extortion are charged as theft by extortion: intentionally obtaining someone's property by threatening to injure anyone or commit a crime, accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret that would bring hatred, contempt or ridicule or harm someone's credit or business, misuse a public office, start a strike or boycott, or give or withhold testimony. It is graded by value: a Class B misdemeanor under $500, a Class A misdemeanor from $500 to under $1,000, a Class D felony from $1,000 to under $10,000, and a Class C felony at $10,000 or more. It is a defense to certain threats (accusation, exposure, or official action) that the property was claimed as restitution or compensation for the harm involved. KRS 514.080 |
| Louisiana | Blackmail is called extortion in Louisiana: communicating threats to another person in order to obtain anything of value or any advantage or immunity. Qualifying threats include threats to injure a person or property, to accuse someone of a crime, to expose a disgrace or a secret, to retaliate for participating in a legal proceeding, to compel a pregnant woman to have an abortion, or to do any other harm. Extortion is punishable by imprisonment at hard labor for not less than one nor more than fifteen years. La. R.S. 14:66 |
| Maine | Blackmail is charged as theft by extortion: obtaining control over another person's property through extortion, intending to deprive the owner of it. Extortion means threatening to cause physical harm in the future to a person or property, or to do any other act that would not substantially benefit the person making the threat but would substantially harm someone's health, safety, business, career, finances, reputation or personal relationships. Theft by extortion is a Class C crime, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. 17-A M.R.S. §§ 355, 1604(1), 1704 |
| Maryland | Extortion is obtaining (or trying or conspiring to obtain) money, property, services or anything of value from someone whose consent is induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force or violence, economic injury, taking of immigration or government identification documents, or threats to report someone's immigration status. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months and $1,000 when the value is less than $1,000. It is a felony punishable by up to 10 years and $10,000 at $1,000 to under $10,000; up to 15 years and $15,000 at $10,000 to under $100,000; and up to 25 years and $25,000 at $100,000 or more. Md. Code, Crim. Law § 3-701 |
| Massachusetts | Extortion is maliciously threatening, verbally or in writing, to accuse someone of a crime or to injure a person or property (or, for a police officer or licensing official, unlawfully threatening to use official power) with intent to extort money or any pecuniary advantage, or to compel someone to act against their will. It is a felony punishable by up to fifteen years in state prison, up to two and one-half years in a house of correction, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. M.G.L. c. 265, § 25 |
| Michigan | Blackmail is called extortion (malicious threats to extort money) in Michigan: maliciously threatening, orally or in writing, to accuse someone of a crime, or to injure a person, their property, or their parent, spouse or child, with intent to extort money or any pecuniary advantage, or to force the person to do or not do something against their will. It is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in state prison or a fine of not more than $10,000. MCL 750.213 |
| Minnesota | Blackmail and extortion-type threats are charged as coercion: by an oral or written threat (to inflict bodily harm or confinement, damage property, injure a business, make a criminal charge, or disseminate private sexual images, among others), causing someone to do an act against their will or to refrain from a lawful act. The penalty depends on the gain or loss: $300 or less (or not measurable in money), up to 90 days and $1,000; more than $300 but less than $2,500, up to five years and $10,000; $2,500 or more, up to ten years and $20,000. The Minnesota Supreme Court held the clause covering threats to expose a secret or disgrace someone unconstitutional in State v. Jorgenson (2020). Minn. Stat. § 609.27 |
| Mississippi | Blackmail is called extortion in Mississippi: purposely obtaining or trying to obtain another's property, or any reward, favor or advantage, by threatening bodily injury, threatening to accuse someone of a crime or civil violation, or threatening to reveal non-public information to humiliate or embarrass (§ 97-3-82). If the property is worth less than $500 it is a misdemeanor with up to six months in county jail; $500 or more, or an intangible benefit, is a felony with up to fifteen years; extortion by a public official under color of office is a felony with two to twenty years (§ 97-3-82(3)). Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-82 |
| Missouri | Blackmail and extortion are charged in Missouri as stealing by coercion: appropriating another's property 'by means of deceit or coercion' (§ 570.030.1). 'Coercion' includes a threat to commit any offense, to injure someone in the future, to accuse someone of an offense, to expose someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule, to harm someone's credit or business reputation, or to take or withhold official action; a threat is justified if the property was honestly claimed as restitution or compensation (§ 570.010). The grade follows the stealing value tiers, from a misdemeanor up to a class D felony at $750 or more and a class C felony at $25,000 or more. RSMo §§ 570.010(5), 570.030 |
| Montana | Blackmail or extortion for property is charged as theft in Montana: purposely or knowingly obtaining control over another's property 'by threat or deception' (§ 45-6-301(2)), with the theft penalties by value (misdemeanor up to $1,500; felony with up to 10 years and $50,000 above $1,500). Intimidation, a felony, is communicating a threat to inflict physical harm, to restrain someone, or to commit any felony, in order to make another person do or not do something; it is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison, a fine up to $50,000, or both (§ 45-5-203). MCA §§ 45-6-301(2), (7), 45-5-203 |
| Nebraska | Blackmail and extortion are charged as theft by extortion: obtaining property, money or anything of value by threatening to injure anyone or commit a crime, accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret that would bring hatred, contempt or ridicule or harm credit or business reputation, take or withhold official action, testify or withhold testimony, or distribute intimate images or video without consent (§ 28-513). It is an affirmative defense to some of these threats that the property was honestly claimed as restitution or compensation. The grade follows the theft value tiers, from a Class II misdemeanor ($500 or less) up to a Class IIA felony ($5,000 or more) (§ 28-518). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-513, 28-518 |
| Nevada | Nevada's extortion crime is called threats: threatening to accuse someone of a crime, injure a person or property, publish a libel, expose a deformity or disgrace, or expose any secret, in order to extort money or property, force someone to sign or destroy a legal document, influence a public officer, or get someone to do something illegal, whether or not it succeeds. It is a category B felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison, a fine up to $10,000, or both, and the court must order restitution. NRS 205.320 |
| New Hampshire | Blackmail and extortion are charged as theft by extortion: obtaining or exercising control over another's property by threatening future physical harm to a person or property, confinement, another crime, accusing someone of a crime or exposing them to hatred, contempt or ridicule, revealing information the person wants kept secret, testifying or withholding testimony, official action, a strike or boycott, or any other act that would substantially harm someone's health, safety, business, reputation or relationships (RSA 637:5). It is graded like other theft by value (misdemeanor at $1,000 or less, class B felony over $1,000 to $1,500, class A felony over $1,500), and extortion by a threat of physical harm or confinement is at least a class B felony (RSA 637:11, II(c)). RSA 637:5, 637:11 |
| New Jersey | Blackmail is charged as 'theft by extortion': obtaining someone's property by threatening to injure or confine anyone, commit a crime, accuse someone of an offense, expose a secret or any asserted fact (true or false) that would subject someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule, take official action, or inflict other harm. Theft by extortion is a crime of the second degree regardless of the amount (five to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $150,000). Threatening someone to force them to do or not do something, without obtaining property, is 'criminal coercion' — a crime of the fourth degree, or third degree if the threat is to commit a crime more serious than fourth degree or the actor's purpose is criminal. N.J.S. 2C:20-5; N.J.S. 2C:20-2(b)(1)(b); N.J.S. 2C:13-5; N.J.S. 2C:43-6(a); N.J.S. 2C:43-3 |
| New Mexico | Blackmail is called extortion in New Mexico: communicating or transmitting any threat, by any means, intending to wrongfully obtain anything of value (the statute also covers threats made to make someone act against their will).Threats that count include threats to unlawfully injure a person or property, to accuse someone of a crime, to expose or impute a deformity or disgrace, to expose a secret, or to kidnap. Extortion is a third degree felony (basic sentence three years, fine up to $5,000, § 31-18-15). NMSA 1978, § 30-16-9; § 31-18-15 |
| New York | Blackmail is charged as larceny by extortion: obtaining property by extortion is grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony (up to four years), regardless of value, and grand larceny in the second degree, a class C felony (up to 15 years), when the threat instills fear of future physical injury, property damage, or abuse of a public servant's position. Forcing someone to act or not act through threats without taking property is coercion: coercion in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000), second degree (compelling a sexual act) a class E felony, and first degree (fear of physical injury or property damage, or compelling a felony or a public servant's breach of duty) a class D felony. N.Y. Penal Law §§ 155.30(6), 155.40(2), 135.60, 135.61, 135.65 |
| North Carolina | Extortion — threatening another person with the intent to wrongfully obtain anything of value or any acquittance, advantage or immunity — is punished as a Class F felony. North Carolina also keeps an older 'blackmailing' offense — sending a letter or writing demanding money or property with menaces, or threatening to accuse someone of a serious crime to extort money or property — which is a Class 1 misdemeanor (1-45 days with no priors, up to 1-120 days with five or more priors). Felony prison terms depend on the class and the person's prior record level under structured sentencing (G.S. 15A-1340.17). N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 14-118.4, 14-118 |
| North Dakota | Blackmail or extortion is charged as theft by threat — obtaining property by threatening to injure someone, damage property, commit a crime, accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact (true or false), or take official action. Theft by threat is a class C felony (up to five years, a $10,000 fine, or both) if the property exceeds $100 (or a public servant threatens official action) and a class B felony (up to ten years, a $20,000 fine, or both) if acquired by a threat to commit a felony; value-based higher grades also apply. Threatening someone to force them to do or not do something (without obtaining property) is criminal coercion, a class A misdemeanor (up to 360 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both). N.D.C.C. §§ 12.1-23-02(2), 12.1-23-10, 12.1-23-05, 12.1-17-06; N.D.C.C. § 12.1-32-01 |
| Ohio | Blackmail is charged as extortion: with purpose to obtain anything of value or to induce an unlawful act, threatening to commit a felony or an offense of violence, uttering or threatening calumny (slander), or threatening to expose matters that would subject someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule or damage their reputation or credit. Extortion is a felony of the third degree (a definite term of nine to thirty-six months, fine up to $10,000). Threatening to release someone's private (sexual or similar) images to compel them, obtain more images, or obtain anything of value is 'sexual extortion,' also a third-degree felony for a first offense, with higher grades for repeat offenses. Using similar threats to coerce someone to act or not act, without seeking something of value, is coercion, a misdemeanor of the second degree (up to 90 days and a $750 fine). R.C. 2905.11, 2905.12; R.C. 2929.14, 2929.18, 2929.24, 2929.28 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma has both extortion and blackmail crimes. Extortion is obtaining property from someone with their consent induced by wrongful force or fear (such as threats to injure, to accuse of a crime, or to expose a secret or disgrace) or under color of official right; it is a Class D1 felony (up to five (5) years), and attempted extortion is a Class D3 felony (up to two (2) years). Blackmail is threatening to accuse someone of a crime, to expose information that would subject them to ridicule, or to report them as illegally present in the United States, to get something of value or force them to act; it is a Class D1 felony punishable by up to five (5) years in prison, a fine up to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both. 21 O.S. §§ 1481, 1482, 1483, 1488, 20N(B), 20P(B) |
| Oregon | Oregon charges blackmail as extortion: compelling or inducing someone to hand over property or services, or not to report unlawful conduct to police, by making them fear that the actor or someone else will injure a person, damage property, commit a crime, accuse someone of a crime, report someone's immigration status, testify falsely, or abuse a public office, among other threats. Extortion is a Class B felony (up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000). Using similar threats to make someone do or not do something they have a legal right to choose is coercion, a Class C felony (up to 5 years). ORS 164.075, 163.275; 161.605, 161.625 |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania treats blackmail as theft by extortion: intentionally obtaining or withholding someone's property by threatening to commit a crime, accuse anyone of a crime, expose a secret that would bring hatred, contempt or ridicule, misuse official action, or inflict other harm. It is graded like other theft by the amount involved (for example, a felony of the third degree if over $2,000), and because it is taken by threat, amounts under $2,000 are a misdemeanor of the first degree. Making similar threats to restrict someone's freedom of action, without taking property, is criminal coercion, a misdemeanor of the second degree, or of the first degree if the threat is to commit a felony or the intent is felonious. 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 3923(a), 3903(a.1), (b), 2906; §§ 1103, 1104 |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island's extortion and blackmail law makes it a crime to maliciously threaten, verbally or in writing, to accuse someone of a crime, to injure their person, reputation, property or finances, or to commit other criminal conduct, with intent to extort money or an unlawful advantage, to force someone to act against their will, or to stop someone from carrying out a legal duty. It is punishable by up to fifteen (15) years in prison, a fine up to $25,000, or both. R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-42-2 |
| South Carolina | Blackmail in South Carolina is accusing someone of a crime, exposing or publishing their personal or business acts, infirmities or failings, or compelling someone to do or not do something against their will, verbally, in writing or electronically, with intent to extort money or anything of value, or threatening or attempting to do so. It is punishable by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars, up to ten years in prison, or both (listed as a Class E felony). S.C. Code §§ 16-17-640, 16-1-90(E) |
| South Dakota | South Dakota charges blackmail and extortion as theft by threat: obtaining someone's property by threatening to injure anyone or commit a crime, accuse anyone of a crime, expose a secret that would bring hatred, contempt, or ridicule or harm someone's credit or business reputation, misuse official action, or inflict other harm. It is graded by the value of the property obtained, like other theft (for example, a Class 6 felony for more than $1,000 up to $2,500). SDCL 22-30A-4, 22-30A-17 |
| Tennessee | Blackmail is charged as extortion: using coercion on another person with intent to obtain property, services, or any advantage or immunity, to unlawfully restrict another's freedom of action, or to impair an entity's exercise of legal rights in order to obtain something of value. It is an affirmative defense that the person reasonably claimed appropriate restitution or indemnification for harm done, or appropriate compensation for property or lawful services. Extortion is a Class D felony (2 to 12 years, fine up to $5,000). Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 39-14-112; 40-35-111(b)(4) |
| Texas | Texas has no separate blackmail or extortion crime; extortion was folded into theft, so getting property by coercion is charged as theft graded by value. 'Coercion' means a threat, however communicated, to commit an offense, to cause future bodily injury, to accuse someone of an offense, to expose someone to hatred, contempt or ridicule, to harm someone's credit or business reputation, or to take or withhold action as a public servant. Tex. Penal Code §§ 31.02; 1.07(a)(9) |
| Utah | Blackmail and extortion are charged as theft by extortion: getting someone's property by threatening, for example, to hurt someone, accuse them of a crime, expose them to hatred or ridicule, reveal a secret, or take or withhold official action. It is graded like other theft by value: under $500 class B misdemeanor; $500 to under $1,500 class A misdemeanor; $1,500 to under $5,000 third degree felony; $5,000 or more second degree felony. The victim can also sue for damages within three years. Utah Code §§ 76-6-406(1)-(4); 76-6-403 |
| Vermont | Extortion is maliciously threatening to accuse someone of a crime, or to injure their person or property, in order to get money or another financial advantage or to force them to do something against their will. It is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison and/or a $500 fine. Criminal threatening that puts someone in reasonable fear of death, serious bodily injury or sexual assault is a separate misdemeanor (up to one year and/or $1,000). 13 V.S.A. §§ 1701, 1702 |
| Virginia | Extortion (blackmail) is getting money, property or a financial benefit by threatening injury to someone's character, person or property, accusing them of a crime, threatening to report them as being in the country illegally, or withholding their passport, immigration document or other government ID. It is a Class 5 felony: 1 to 10 years in prison, or up to 12 months in jail and/or a $2,500 fine. Threatening to release someone's identifying information (such as Social Security or account numbers) counts as a threat to property. Va. Code §§ 18.2-59; 18.2-10(e) |
| Washington | Extortion is knowingly obtaining or trying to obtain property or services (including sexual favors) by threat. Extortion in the first degree, using threats of future bodily injury, physical damage to someone else's property, or physical confinement or restraint, is a class B felony (up to 10 years); extortion in the second degree, using other threats such as accusing someone of a crime, exposing a secret, revealing information the person wants hidden, or wrongful official action, is a class C felony (up to 5 years). Coercion, using a threat to make someone do or not do something they have a legal right to choose, is a gross misdemeanor. RCW 9A.56.110; 9A.56.120; 9A.56.130; 9A.04.110(28); 9A.36.070; 9A.20.021 |
| West Virginia | Blackmail is called extortion by threats in West Virginia: threatening, directly, indirectly or by innuendo, injury to another person's character, person or property (or to a spouse, child or household member), or accusing the person of a crime, in order to obtain something of value or force the person to do something against his or her will. If the threat succeeds, it is a felony punishable by one to 10 years in a state correctional facility. An unsuccessful attempt is also a felony, punishable by one to three years, a fine of $1,000 to $5,000, or both. W. Va. Code § 61-2-13 |
| Wisconsin | Blackmail and extortion are charged as threats to injure or accuse of crime: maliciously threatening, verbally or in writing, to accuse someone of a crime, or threatening or causing injury to the person's body, property, business, profession or income, in order to extort money or any financial advantage or to force the person to do or not do something. It is a Class H felony (a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment not to exceed 6 years, or both). The same grade applies when the threat is used to influence a juror or a public officer's official action, or when someone threatens to use another person's patient health care records to extort. Wis. Stat. §§ 943.30, 939.50(3)(h) |
| Wyoming | Blackmail in Wyoming is a single offense that covers what used to be called blackmail and extortion: with intent to obtain someone's property or force someone to act or not act against their will, threatening bodily injury or injury to property, or accusing or threatening to accuse a person of a crime or of disgraceful immoral conduct. It is a felony punishable by up to ten (10) years in prison. Aggravated blackmail, where the person causes bodily injury during the crime, is a felony punishable by not less than five (5) years nor more than twenty-five (25) years. W.S. 6-2-402 |
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.