Extortion – Pc 518
Los Angeles Extortion Defense Attorneys
California Penal Code 518 PC
Extortion is the obtaining of property by from another induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right. It is a felony in all states, except that a direct threat to harm the victim is usually treated as the crime of robbery. Blackmail is a form of extortion in which the threat is to expose embarrassing, damaging information to family, friends or the public. Inducing a public officer to perform an act in his or her official capacity by force, threats of force or fear is a very traditional form of extortion. It is also considered extortion if force or threats are used to make a person sign a legal document which transfers property, rights or money.
Extortion is a serious charge not to be taken lightly by anyone facing it. It is a felony in every state. If any instrument of “commerce” such as the Internet or the U.S. Postal Service is used to make threats, the case can be prosecuted at the federal level, meaning even tougher penalties may be imposed.
Our Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help!
Pre trial preparation is the key to successful defense of extortion charges. If computers or documents are involved, a forensic computer expert and handwriting and/or fingerprint experts may play a pivotal role. Your defense team needs to have the experience and depth of resources to analyze and prepare your case.
The best time to get a defense team in Los Angeles is when you first learn that you are under investigation. Even if the investigation is centered around someone else, if federal agents are talking to you, you need expert counsel immediately.
If charges have not yet been filed, our first goal is to prevent charges from being filed. We have a variety of specific techniques we use to accomplish this.
If charges are filed against you in federal court, it is critical that you have a defense team, not just an individual lawyer. Your defense team must have extensive trial experience in the federal court system. The federal courts are quite different from state courts not only in their procedures but also in the defense strategies and potential punishments.
