BLACKMAIL 

While you don’t see cases of blackmail being prosecuted very often, it does happen from time to time. If you’ve been accused of blackmail, you need to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side as soon as possible. If convicted, you could be facing stiff fines and a hefty prison sentence.

Blackmail AKA Extortion

Blackmail, which is also known as extortion, generally involves some sort of coercion and financial transaction. Money may or may not change hands, but one party typically asks for money in exchange for secrecy on a variety of matters. Every case is different, but traditionally, one person offers their secrecy for money. This type of case can happen in the workplace or it can involve domestic situations.

“White Collar” Crime

Blackmail is considered a type of “White Collar” crime, which means that it is usually committed in a non-violent manner which differs from more traditional common street crimes. We often think of the businessman, in a white collar, committing extortion, blackmail, bribery and other types of non-violent offenses in the workplace. It’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that prison time or penalties are any less severe than for other violent crimes and drug offenses. Blackmail cases can be incredibly complex, and in some situations, end up in federal court.

Examples of Blackmail

• Threatening to make public a private matter unless the other party pays money. 
• Threatening to leak confidential information in exchange of money. 
• Offering to keep illegal business practices secret in exchange of goods or services. 
• Offering to keep quiet in exchange for a promotion at work. 
• Threatening to show incriminating pictures to one’s spouse in exchange for money. 

Complex Nonviolent Criminal Cases

You might be under the misunderstanding that prosecutors go easy on white collar criminals, or because your crime was nonviolent, you wont have to do any jail time. Nothing could be further from the truth. State and federal prosecutors take white collar crimes very seriously, and you may or may not have to go to a medium security or higher federal facility, if convicted. Since these cases are so complex, the first thing you do after an arrest should be to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

Federal Prosecution

In the worst case scenario, you could be facing federal prosecution. This makes your case that much more complex too. Federal court is much different than state court, and the prosecutors mean business. Depending upon the circumstances in your case, the amount of money involved and the evidence, you could be facing up to 20 years in prison.