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 Rhode Island, extortion is defined as the act of obtaining property from another, with his or her consent, induced by a wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right. This is outlined in the Rhode Island General Laws under Section 11-42-2. The state considers extortion a felony offense, which can result in severe penalties including imprisonment, fines, or both. The specific punishment for extortion in Rhode Island depends on the circumstances of the case, but it generally involves significant incarceration time, reflecting the seriousness with which the state treats such offenses. Additionally, under federal law, as cited in 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876, extortion is also a criminal offense, which means that if the act of extortion involves federal jurisdiction—such as crossing state lines or using federal communication systems—the federal government can also prosecute the offense. The federal penalties for extortion can include fines and imprisonment, and the severity of the penalties typically depends on the nature of the threat and the amount of money or value of the property demanded.