Extortion is somewhat akin to robbery. Both involve the illegal taking of another’s property. But there are important differences. Here is what you need to know about the crime of extortion in Oklahoma.
Extortion Defined
In Oklahoma, extortion is defined as obtaining property from another with consent, but that consent is induced by the wrongful use of force or fear, or under the color of an official right. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1481
A person may be convicted of extortion or attempted extortion if all these elements are met:
- obtaining or attempting to obtain;
- property, or a signature to a writing to transfer property, or a signature to a writing to create a debt, demand, or charge;
- of another;
- with consent; and
- induced by force or threat.
OUJI-CR 5-32
If any of these elements are missing, or are left unproven by the prosecutor, there can be no conviction for extortion.
Elements Explained
It is property or signatures to certain documents that are meant to be protected by these statutes. The defendant must obtain property or signatures in order for the crime to have occurred. And the victim must have given consent under duress. Consent makes this a different crime from a robbery which does not involve any kind of consent.
It is also against the law to send any sort of extortionate letter to a proposed victim. If the letter even implies a threat, the defendant opens themselves up to a conviction. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1486
Even if the victim would have freely transferred the property to the defendant without the use of any extortionate means, if the defendant uses extortionate means, the crime has been committed. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1485
The level of fear imposed may be a threat to:
- unlawfully injure the person or property of the family of the person threatened;
- accuse the person or a member of that family of a crime;
- expose or involve that person in a matter of disgrace; or
- expose a secret which would affect the person or a member of that person’s family.
Penalties
In most cases, extortion is a felony punishable by a prison term of up to five years. Attempted extortion is punishable by a jail term of up to two years. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1483
However, extortion committed under color of official right, in which a person uses their public office to induce the transfer of property, may be guilty of a misdemeanor. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1484
The defendant must be a public officer to be convicted of misdemeanor extortion. This occurs when a person misuses their office, using their position to induce the extortion. In contrast, in felony extortion, a defendant must have used force or threats.
If convicted of felony extortion, you may face serious jail time. It is important to work with experienced criminal defense counsel to build a strong defense to protect your freedom.
Strategy Session: Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
Wirth Law Office is here to help when you need it most. We offer an initial strategy session with an experienced Tulsa criminal lawyer to help you defend your legal rights.
Call 918-879-1681 for an initial strategy session or submit a question through this website.
