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 Georgia, extortion is considered a serious criminal offense and is codified under the Georgia Code. Extortion involves the unlawful obtaining of property, money, or services from an individual through coercion, which may include threats of physical harm, damage to property, or exposure of damaging information about the person. This crime is often prosecuted as a felony, which can result in significant prison time, fines, or both. The specific statutes that address extortion in Georgia are found in Title 16 (Crimes and Offenses), and the penalties can vary based on the severity of the coercion and the value of the property or services extorted. Additionally, under federal law, extortion is criminalized under 18 U.S.C. §872 to 18 U.S.C. §876, which also covers threats and demands made through interstate communication channels, including mail and electronic communications. Both state and federal laws treat extortion as a grave offense due to its coercive nature and the potential harm to victims.