Blackmail: California Law
In California, blackmail is a form of extortion. It is important to note that in order for the defendant to be held accountable for extortion in California, the victim must actually comply with the defendant’s demands. If the victim declines, it is not considered extortion. However, it is still possible to try extortion.
In California, extortion is classified into five types based on the sort of threat made:
- Extortion by force or terror (Penal Code 518 PC)
- Extortion by signature (Penal Code: 522 PC)
- Extortion by threatening letter (Penal Code 523 PC)
- Extortion by masquerading as a kidnapper (Penal Code 210 PC)
- Extortion by fraudulent court order (Penal Code 526 PC)