1. California Penalties
- In California, blackmail is a type of extortion that uses force or terror. This sort of extortion is a criminal violation that can lead to:
- Possible penalties include four years in jail and/or a $10,000 fine.
2. Federal Penalties
- Violations of the federal Hobbs Act can result in up to twenty years in federal prison. Furthermore, an extortion conviction can serve as a predicate offense under other criminal statutes, most notably the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
- Meanwhile, breaching 18 U.S.C. 873 can result in up to one year in federal prison, $100,000 in penalties, or both.
3. Colorado penalties
- In Colorado, blackmail is considered an illegal extortion. Convictions for blackmail bring sentences ranging between 2-6 years in jail.
Blackmail: Meaning, California Laws, Penalties & Legal Defense