The most serious charge will be for stealing $200,000 or more in goods, services or cash.For the smallest amounts ($50 and under), the charge will be a 'Class C' misdemeanor carrying a penalty of a simple fine of up $500.The factor that determines the severity of the punishment if convicted is the amount or value of the goods, services or cash that the defendant gains from the crime. Texas extortion laws offer a wide variety of penalties. Under this law, it is not a defense that law enforcement solicited, provided the facility for or deceived or strategized to get the defendant to commit the crime. Consent was given by the owner of the property.Lack of intent to deprive the owner of the property.Always consult with a criminal defense attorney before entering a plea deal or agreeing to plead guilty. Texas Extortion Laws: Overviewīelow you will find key information on Texas extortion statutes, penalties, and possible defenses. Additionally, extortion charges often are related to the types of criminal enterprises targeted by racketeering laws. In the similar crime of bribery, an individual offers or accepts something of value in exchange for influence on a public official or employee. Proving extortion can be difficult without some type of audio or video recording of the threat made, since it can end up being one person's word against the other in the absence of evidence. Bob agrees to pay Joe because he fears that Joe will in fact damage his new car. Instead, the threatened conduct could occur sometime in the future and could affect things other than the victim's physical body, such as his or her reputation.Įxample: Bob goes to Joe's home and threatens to vandalize Joe's brand new car if Joe does not pay Bob $1,000. The difference between this kind of threat and robbery is that the victim is not placed in imminent (or immediate) fear of physical danger. Extortion occurs when an individual gains property or money by some type of force or threat of violence, property damage, harm to reputation or unfavorable government action. Texas extortion law charges the crime as theft (see Texas Theft Laws).

Civil extortion