Extortion is the threatening, coercive act of demanding payment, favorable government action from a public official, or another benefit from someone in return for not doing violent, physical harm or injury to the victim or his property, or revealing compromising or damaging information about the victim (whether it is true or false), or causing unfavorable government action against the victim or his interests. Extortion (sometimes referred to as the crime of coercion or blackmail) is a criminal offense in all states and under federal law.

Extortion can occur in person, by telephone, by U.S. mail, by e-mail, by text message, through social media, or by other means of communication.

The definition and penalties for the crime of extortion vary from state to state—in some states blackmail is part of the criminal offense of extortion, and in some states blackmail and extortion are separate criminal offenses.

The crime of extortion may be prosecuted as a felony in some states—with potential prison time—or as a misdemeanor eligible for probation. The crime of extortion is usually located in a state’s statutes. And extortion is also a crime under federal law. See 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876.

In Delaware, extortion is considered a serious criminal offense and is defined under Title 11, Section 846 of the Delaware Code. The act of extortion involves obtaining property from another person, with his or her consent, induced by wrongful use of force, fear, or threats. This includes threats of physical harm, damage to property, or accusations of crimes that would subject the person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule. Extortion is typically prosecuted as a felony in Delaware, which means that a conviction can result in significant prison time, fines, or both. The specific penalties depend on the circumstances of the crime, including the amount of money or value of property involved. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized by 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876, which also covers threats made through interstate communication, including mail, telephone, or electronic communication, and can lead to federal charges with their own set of penalties.