South Carolina Federal Extortion Lawyer

Threatening to cause harm to a person’s physical well-being or personal reputation unless the threatened individual provides a ransom or something else of value is a serious criminal offense. Whether it is called “blackmail” or “extortion,” this type of crime often prompts investigation and prosecution by federal authorities, especially if the alleged crime involves federal agents or occurs across state lines.

You have the right to contest extortion charges pursued under federal law. However, doing so without a seasoned federal defense attorney’s help rarely leads to a positive outcome. If you want the best chances of securing a favorable result from your unique case, working with a South Carolina federal extortion lawyer is essential.

Defining Extortion as a Federal Crime

Federal law defines a variety of circumstances that may lead to extortion charges in 18 U.S. Code § 872 through 876. For example, 18 U.S.C. § 873 specifically addresses the act of demanding consideration in exchange for an individual not informing federal authorities of an alleged or actual federal offense. 18 U.S.C. § 875 addresses threatening to injure or kidnap another person—as well as refusing to release a kidnapped person—unless someone pays a ransom or reward. Regardless of the form of alleged extortion, it is worth emphasizing that an individual does not need to provide the demanded reward for the initial threat to qualify as a crime.

An act of extortion that takes place across state lines is the most common reason for federal authorities, rather than state authorities, to pursue the criminal case. However, as a South Carolina federal extortion attorney could explain, it is not the only factor contributing to federal charges. Any attempt at extortion that carries substantial federal interest—for instance, one involving an alleged breach of federal law, as addressed in 18 U.S.C. § 873—could lead to the involvement of federal authorities.

Possible Penalties Upon Conviction for Federal Extortion

The sanctions that a federal extortion conviction may carry can vary substantially depending on the specific actions the defendant allegedly undertook. A conviction for blackmail, as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 873, is a misdemeanor offense, which means a conviction carries a maximum federal prison sentence of one year and/or a maximum $1,000 fine.

Conversely, 18 U.S.C. § 875 allows for increasingly severe punishments depending on the type of threat involved. A threat to harm personal property or a targeted person’s reputation carries a maximum two-year prison term. A threat to cause physical injury to or kidnap the targeted person may lead to a maximum five-year prison term. Anyone who refuses to release a kidnapped person unless a ransom is paid may be sentenced to 20 years maximum of federal imprisonment upon conviction. A South Carolina attorney could review the details of a federal extortion charge to determine potential penalties and, more importantly, start working on a defense.

Contact a South Carolina Federal Extortion Attorney Now

It can be challenging to build an effective defense strategy for extortion charges, largely because of how broadly state and federal law defines these types of offenses. Assistance from seasoned legal counsel could be key to protecting your rights in the short term, as well as minimizing the impact this charge has on your long-term prospects.

A conversation with a South Carolina federal extortion lawyer should be your first step toward achieving a positive case result. Schedule a meeting by calling today.