Extortion

Arizona Extortion Lawyer

Any time money is obtained by threatening a person, that person’s family, or their property by intimidating or threatening them, it is considered extortion. This is a felony offense. Blackmail is a type of extortion in which a person threatens to embarrass or expose another in order to damage them if the person making the threat doesn’t get what they want.

If you have been accused of extortion, you will want to have the best possible defense. Myles A. Schneider is an attorney experienced in defending clients accused of distortion. Despite innocence or guilt, a favorable outcome can be reached in the case.

Types Of Extortion

Extortion is committed in a number of ways. One of those ways is bribery, which is when a person gives something of value, such as money, to another person to influence their conduct. Another type is blackmail. Blackmail occurs when a person’s business or reputation is threatened. The threat usually involves disclosing some kind of secret information that would be harmful to that person if the public knew about it. It doesn’t matter if the information is true or false. This information can be perfectly legal, but the act itself can still be considered extortion.

The punishment for extortion can vary based upon the circumstances in the case. For instance, extortion can occur with a dangerous instrument or deadly weapon in hand, even if the event is not carried out. The charge is a class two non-dangerous felony. The first offense can result in up to a year in jail or three years in prison. The maximum sentence is 12 ½ years of prison. If a person has a previous conviction, their sentence can be anywhere from 4 ½ years in prison to 23 ¼ years. For two previous offenses, the minimum prison sentence is 10 ½ years to 35 years in prison. If the deadly weapon is used, it is charged as a dangerous offense and this can also result in at least 7 years for a first offense to as much as 35 years if convicted a second time.

Phoenix Federal Crimes Representation

The consequences of extortion can include time in prison, heavy fines up to $10,000, probation, parole, and restitution to the victims. Without the proper representation, you may be dealing with the difference between spending a lot of time, spending little time in prison, or spending no time behind bars at all. Myles A. Schneider is experienced in representing clients accused of extortion, going as far as having charges completely dismissed due to proving a misunderstanding or showing that there is a lack of evidence. Even if there is some guilt in the crime, there are ways to achieve a better outcome.

Contact A Phoenix Extortion Attorney

If you have been accused of extortion, you know that the charges are serious. You also know that a conviction could change the rest of your life. Even if conviction is imminent, it may be possible to reduce charges, have some or all of the charges dropped, and to not have to pay the highest penalties. For a free consultation, call us at 602-926-7373 so we can evaluate your case and inform you of your options.