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 Hawaii, extortion is defined under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 707-764 as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain property or services from another by threatening to inflict bodily injury on anyone or commit any other criminal offense, or by accusing anyone of a crime. It is considered a Class B felony, which can result in a prison sentence of up to ten years. The law in Hawaii does not distinguish between blackmail and extortion; rather, it treats these actions as part of the same offense. Extortion can be committed through various means of communication, including in person, by phone, mail, or electronic communication. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized under 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876, which also covers threats against individuals, property, or reputation with the intent to extort money, goods, or services. Penalties under federal law can include fines and imprisonment, and the severity of the punishment can depend on the specific circumstances of the crime.