Extortion is a unique type of crime that occurs when someone; through threats or actions of bodily harm, wrongful accusations or threats or destruction of property, causes the threatened or harmed person to provide money, goods or services. In other words extortion occurs when someone manipulates; through fear or threats or actual actions, another to get materials, money or services without cost. Bribery, ransom and blackmail can all be considered components of extortion.
Extortion Penalties
There are several different possible options for penalties when there are extortion charges. In most jurisdictions there is combination of both jail time as well as fines, however depending on the level of extortion and if violence did occur there can be much more significant penalties imposed.
Possible Penalties
- Jail time of up to 4 years or more
- Probation
- Restitution
- Fines that may exceed $10,000
- Community Service
Extortion Sentencing
It can be difficult to prove extortion, blackmail or bribery without actual video or audio evidence, and sometimes even if these items are present it can be challenging. Often the courts will consider the amount of extortion in the monetary sense as well as any prior convictions or criminal history the accused may have. An attorney can work with the courts to have the dismissed if there is little evidence, or they may also be able to work with the courts to develop a course of action that includes community service, victim restitution or fines rather than jail time.
Should You Hire An Attorney For Extortion Charges?
Although not as serious to most people as murder or other types of felony crimes, extortion can cause significant complications if you are convicted of the crime. It may make any type of employment challenging, especially within management positions.
With the help of a criminal defense attorney that is experienced in representing those accused of extortion you will get the best possible court defense, which may even result in dismissal of the charges if the state can't prove its case.
Extortion: Fines and Jail by State
Penalties Vary Greatly by Case! For accurate penalties, talk to the court clerk or a lawyer!
| State | Avg. Fines | Avg. Jail | Avg. Probation | Other |
| Alabama | 100,000-250,000 | 10-13 years | 5 years | Not Available |
| Alaska | 250000 | 20 years | 3 years | Not Available |
| Arizona | $2,50,000 | 37 and 46 months in federal prison. | 6 months | Not Available |
| Arkansas | 250000 | 20 years | Varies by Case | |
| California | 1000-10.000 $ | 1-3 years | 6 months | 90 days community service |
| Colorado | 250000 | 2 years | one year | community service |
| Connecticut | 100,000 max | 2-7 years | 5 years max | CS |
| Delaware | 500000 | 5 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Florida | upto $10,000 ( or additional ) | upto four years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Georgia | up to $1000.00 | up to 12 months | up to 1 year | if a government official, dismissal from office |
| Hawaii | 25000 | 10 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Idaho | up to $50,000 | up to 5 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Illinois | From $1k to $25k depending on the number of offenses | From 3 to 5 years, jail time longer if victim is government employee. | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Indiana | $10,000 to $1,00.000 | 3 years | 3 months | Not Available |
| Iowa | 100,000 max | 10-15 years | 7 years max | Not Available |
| Kansas | 100,000 max | 3- 5 years | 5 years max | Not Available |
| Kentucky | 500000 | seven years | Varies by Case | seven years |
| Louisiana | 100,000-250,000 | 10-20 years | 10 years min | CS |
| Maine | 250 | Varies Widely by Case | Apology letter | Not Available |
| Maryland | Up to $5000 | Up to five years | Not Available | |
| Massachusetts | $5000 -$100,000 | 1-10 years | 4 years | community service |
| Michigan | up to $10,000 | up to 20 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Minnesota | not more than two hundred and fifty dollars | max 7-10 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Mississippi | Misdemeanor 250 to 1000 Felony, Up to $10,000 Fine | Misdemeanor up to 6 months Felony:Up to 15 Years in Pen. | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Missouri | Class C Felony: not to exceed $5000 OR double the amount gained from the crime, not to exceed $25,000 | Class C Felony: up to 7 years; Class B Felony: 5- 15 years | Varies by Case | $500-$2500 is a Class C felony; equals or exceeds $2500 is a Class B Felony |
| Montana | as much as $10000 | 5-10 years max | 10-13 years | Not Available |
| Nebraska | not less than fifty ($50.00)-25,000 | 2-5 years | 5 years | Not Available |
| Nevada | 25000 max penalty | 3-7 years | 5 years | Not Available |
| New Hampshire | $65,000 fine | 3 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| New Jersey | 250000 | 20 years in federal prison | no probation | Not Available |
| New Mexico | as much as $10,000 | 10 years in federal prison | 6 months | Restitution for the victims |
| New York | Fines that may exceed $10,000 | Jail time of up to 4 years or more | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| North Carolina | 0-$100,00 | 0-20 years | 0-5 years | Not Available |
| North Dakota | 100000 | 140 months | 20-year | five and a half years for a drug conviction |
| Ohio | 250000 | 180 days | 18 months | bribery to dismiss criminal proceeding as defined in Section |
| Oklahoma | $100+ | up to 10 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Oregon | 100.000 max | 5-9 years | 5 years | Not Available |
| Pennsylvania | a $250,000 fine | a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Rhode Island | not more than twenty-five thousand dollars | up to 15 years | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| South Carolina | Unlimited- Depends on amount extorted | 6 months - life | 6 months - year | Community service |
| South Dakota | not more than $10000 | five and a half years | 6 months to 3 years | Not Available |
| Tennessee | 250000 | 20 years | 10 to 16 months i | a 40-yard run nullified by a holding |
| Texas | 100,000 min | 10-15 years possible | 5 years min | Not Available |
| Utah | 250000 | 20 years | 1 -3 years | community service |
| Vermont | 500000 | seven years | 5 to 10 years | reiterated the seriousness |
| Virginia | fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), | shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three or four years. | 6 months to 2 years | imprisonment ,punishable in the same manner as if such money or property were actually obtained by means of such threat. |
| Washington | a maximum statutory fine of $250,000 | 10 years in Federal prison | no probation | Not Available |
| West Virginia | $50-$500 | 1-5 years | 6-12 months | Not Available |
| Wisconsin | Heavy fines (in some cases, as much as $10,000) | Up to 20 years in prison. | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Wyoming | Felony- up to $10,000.00 ; Misdemeanor - up to $750.00 | Felony - up to 10 years ; Misdemeanor - up to 6 months | Varies by Case | Not Available |
- If you have been charged with Extortion, Submit Your Case for a Free Review from a skilled Criminal Defense Attorney.
