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 Alabama, extortion is defined as the act of obtaining money, property, or anything of value from another person by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right. This crime is considered a Class B felony under Alabama law, as outlined in Section 13A-8-14 of the Alabama Criminal Code. Penalties for a Class B felony in Alabama can include a prison sentence ranging from 2 to 20 years and a fine of up to $30,000. The specific circumstances of the extortion, such as the amount of money demanded or the nature of the threats used, can influence the severity of the charges and penalties. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized under 18 U.S.C. § 872, which prohibits interstate communications for the purpose of extortion, and 18 U.S.C. § 873 to 876, which cover various forms of extortion and threats. Federal penalties for extortion can include fines and imprisonment, with the exact penalties depending on the nature of the offense and the federal statutes under which the individual is charged.