Columbia Extortion Attorney

The charge of extortion – or blackmail – is exceptionally serious, and a conviction can land you behind bars for a significant amount of time. The State of South Carolina takes a firm stance against white-collar crimes like extortion, which amounts to coercing someone into doing something against their will for one’s own financial gain, and if you’ve been so charged, you shouldn’t wait to consult with an experienced extortion attorney.

The Elements of an Extortion Charge in South Carolina

South Carolina employs the term blackmail for extortion charges, and the elements required to obtain a conviction include that both the following apply to the defendant – who engaged in verbal, written, printed, or electronic communication with their victim:

• They accused the victim of committing a criminal offense, threatened to expose their sensitive personal or business information, or forced them to either do or not do something against their will.
• The accused had the intention of achieving a monetary gain or service for themself.

Those who extort others often threaten their victims with violence, threaten to expose damaging information about them, or manipulate their fears and anxieties to achieve their own goals. A prime example is a public official who requires those seeking official contracts to engage in bribery before they’re granted.

An important note to make here is that the element of the defendant’s intention in the matter can be especially difficult to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. The accused must have intended to achieve monetary gain – or to obtain something else of value – for the charge of extortion to hold.

Extortion Is a Felony

The charge of extortion in South Carolina is a felony, and a conviction carries fines of up to $5,000 and a prison sentence of up to 10 years – in addition to a potential requirement for paying restitution to the victim. The fines and penalties faced in each specific case reflect the severity of the threats involved. Further, because having a criminal record is a matter of public information, there are also serious social consequences to consider, such as having difficulty finding a job or renting a home.

Gavin’s Law

South Carolina also has what is known as Gavin’s Law on the books. Gavin’s Law makes using sexually explicit images or videos to blackmail someone a felony offense, and if the victim is a minor, is a vulnerable adult, or is injured or dies as a direct result of the blackmail attempt, the charge is enhanced to an aggravated felony.

Reach Out for the Skilled Legal Guidance of an Experienced Columbia, SC, Extortion Attorney Today

Jonathan Harvey at the Law Office of Jonathan M. Harvey is a trusted Columbia, SC, extortion attorney with a wealth of experience fiercely advocating for his clients’ favorable case resolutions, and he welcomes the opportunity to also help you. The outcome of your case is important to your future, so please don’t wait to reach out and contact us online or call 803-779-3363 for more information today.