Blackmail and Extortion Laws in 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).

Ohio's rule on court-appointed lawyers: Under Ohio Public Defender rules, an applicant whose gross income is at or below 187.5% of the federal poverty level is presumed indigent; an applicant above that may still qualify if net income after basic living expenses is at or below 125% of the poverty level or if the applicant cannot afford qualified counsel. Applicants are presumed indigent if they receive poverty-based public assistance (such as SSI, Medicaid, or SNAP), are committed to a public mental health facility, are incarcerated in a state penitentiary, or are a child. Liquid-asset limits depend on the most serious charge (for example $2,000 for a misdemeanor and $8,000 for a first- or second-degree felony), but exceeding the limits does not automatically bar appointment, and posting bail does not disqualify an applicant. A person applying for court-appointed counsel or public defender services must pay a non-refundable application fee of twenty-five dollars to the clerk of court (at filing of the financial disclosure form or within seven days); the court may waive or reduce it if the person lacks sufficient financial resources or payment would cause undue hardship. Ohio Adm.Code 120-1-03; R.C. 120.36

Lawyers set their own fees, and Ohio has rules on how they may charge. See hiring a criminal defense lawyer in Ohio for fee rules, how to check a lawyer's license and free help.

How release before trial works in Ohio: All persons shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, except a person charged with a capital offense where the proof is evident or the presumption great, and a person charged with a felony where the proof is evident or the presumption great and the person poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person or to the community. Excessive bail shall not be required. When setting the amount of bail, the court shall consider public safety, including the seriousness of the offense, and a person's criminal record, the likelihood a person will return to court, and any other factor the General Assembly may prescribe. By statute, a judge may deny bail to a person charged with aggravated murder (non-capital), murder, a first- or second-degree felony, and certain other listed offenses only after a hearing at which the state proves by clear and convincing evidence that the proof is evident or the presumption great, that the accused poses a substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person or the community, and that no release conditions will reasonably assure safety; continuances are limited to three court days for the state and five court days for the accused unless waived. Ohio Const. art. I, § 9; R.C. 2937.222 What happens after an arrest.

Each state sets its own rules for sealing or expunging records. See Ohio expungement and record sealing rules.