Threatening someone to take actions against their will can end in extortion charges in Denver. Acts of blackmail that involve threats to family, finances, or property often lead to damaging criminal charges. While you may feel the language you used wasn’t threatening or your anger got the best of you, threats can be costly. Whether you’re being accused of threatening to injure someone if they don’t pay you or ruin their business, securing skilled representation is vital. Contact an experienced extortion attorney today if charges such as these are looming.
Denver Extortion Laws
Denver’s extortion laws prohibit making certain threats against others as a means of convincing them to do something. CRS 18-3-207 defines the specific violations of criminal extortion throughout Colorado. You commit this crime in Denver, Cherry Creek, or Lodo if you:
- make a substantial threat,
- to confine / restrain someone, cause financial hardship, cause bodily injury, or damage a person’s property or reputation,
- in order to induce someone to perform an act against their will, refrain from a lawful act, or provide you with money or something of value
While there are plenty of movie scenes that one may think represent criminal extortion, real-life examples sometimes look much different. Threatening harm to another’s family member(s), making embarrassing / detrimental facts known, or destroying valuable property are examples of extortion in Colorado.
Is Extortion Always a Felony in Colorado?
Criminal extortion is at minimum a class 4 felony throughout the state of Colorado. Defendants face up to 6 years in DOC and a minimum fine of $2K if convicted. When a deadly weapon is threatened or used or someone is seriously injured, extortion becomes a crime of violence with amplified penalties. Over a decade in prison and six-figure fines can result in these cases. Finally, aggravated extortion (threatened use of chemical, biological, or radioactive weapons) is a class 3 felony, potentially resulting in even higher penalties.
Denver Extortion Attorney
Defendants must act quickly in cases of extortion in Colorado. With severe penalties resulting from conviction, consulting a strategic criminal lawyer is essential. Perhaps the threats you made weren’t substantial, there weren’t means to carry the actions out, or you weren’t trying to coerce anyone into doing something. Nevertheless, contact our firm for a free consultation. We offer same-day jail visits, affordable fees, and flexible payment plans. Our seasoned defense attorneys aren’t afraid of complex felony matters and are determined to achieve the best possible outcome for each client.
If you or someone you know is facing charges of extortion in Colorado, be smart. Contact the results-driven lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio