Extortion is any kind of act that coerces or cajoles a person into providing you with a benefit or thing of value against their will. It often involves threats of violence or attempts at blackmail. This serious criminal matter can have significant consequences if you are convicted. Because of this, you must seek help from a Spartanburg extortion lawyer immediately.
You never have to face this difficult situation on your own. When you rely on the team at Ellis Hinton, you get support from seasoned bribery defense attorneys who can advocate on your behalf. Reach out today; our legal team is based in Greenville, servicing South Carolina and beyond.
The term “extortion” is commonly used, but not everyone fully understands how this behavior can lead to criminal charges. In general, extorting someone involves pressuring or threatening to give up something valuable they would not have agreed to otherwise.
This often takes the form of blackmail, which threatens to expose someone’s secret if they do not comply with your demands. Extortion might also be used to secure money, favors, or valuable items. In fact, the crime of extortion is formally referred to as blackmail by South Carolina statute.
An extortion offense is a felony, and a conviction can have life-altering consequences, including as much as 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. There are also federal laws against extortion, and the penalties at that level are even steeper. You are entitled to fight back, and a Spartanburg extortion attorney can assist with every aspect of your defense.
There are different options for fighting these charges, but an effective defense requires carefully reviewing the facts. An extortion lawyer in Spartanburg can develop a strategy based on the strength of the state’s evidence. Some of the most common include the following:
Central to any extortion case is an intentional act by the accused that forces the alleged victim to part with their property or something of value against their will. The state must prove this key element, which means the lack of evidence of threats, violence, or blackmail can defeat extortion charges.
Prosecutors must meet a high burden of proof to secure a criminal conviction. A jury must acquit you at trial if they cannot show beyond a reasonable doubt that you extorted someone. This defense focuses on the lack of evidence instead of attempting to prove an alternate theory of the case.
You can be falsely accused of extortion. This might stem from a misunderstanding, or there could be something more malicious at play. Unfortunately, an allegation might be enough to bring criminal charges, even when they are unfounded. However, a key to this defense strategy involves highlighting emails, statements, or other evidence that shows the claim is false.
If you have been accused of extorting someone for money or something else of value, you must immediately seek legal counsel. A conviction could have a dramatic impact not only on your life but on your loved ones as well.
Reach out to a Spartanburg extortion lawyer today to learn more. Ellis Hinton’s well-versed and highly skilled criminal defense attorneys have former prosecutor experience at the state and federal levels.
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