Extortion is the criminal act of demanding something, usually money or valuable property, in exchange for doing or not doing a particular act, so as to place the victim in a situation of criminal duress or competing harms. This criminal charge is also consummated where a person threatens to reveal a secret or tell a particular person or group of people a fact about someone else that is sensitive information, unless money is paid to keep the secret. Criminal law enforcement often discovers extortion through the use of police informants and other false friends or undercover agents involved in the illegal criminal transactions. When the police get involved, the rules of criminal procedure are triggered. Having an experienced criminal defense attorney to help figure out the angles of a viable criminal court defense can be invaluable. Bribery is similar to Extortion in that it involves compelling another to do or not do or say or not say something in exchange for the other doing or not doing or saying or not saying something. To prove the criminal violation of Bribery of a Public Servant, the State Attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person bribed was a public official or servant, that the criminal suspect gave, offered, or promised money, property, or something else of value, benefit, or advantage to the official, that the gift, offer, or promise was not authorized by law, and that the gift, offer, or promise was made for the purpose of corruptly influencing the official or servant in the performance of some act or omission that the criminal suspect believed to be within the official’s discretion or a part of the official’s public duty. “Corruptly” means acting knowingly and dishonestly for a wrongful purpose. The court determines whether the person bribed is a public servant. The most common example of public servants is law enforcement officers. In order for the criminal suspect to be guilty, it is not necessary that the act with respect to which the bribe was given, offered, or promised was properly pending before the person bribed, or that by law it might be properly brought before him or her, or that he or she was qualified to act in the desired way, or that he or she had jurisdiction over the matter, or that his or her official action was necessary to achieve the purpose of the criminal suspect. For the purpose of the laws against bribery, any person who has been elected or appointed to, or who is a candidate for election or appointment to, any public office is regarded as already being in that office with respect to any transaction relating to an act to be done if and when he or she actually assumes office. If you have been charged with Extortion in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, or Miami Dade County, you should consult an experienced competent criminal defense attorney who can represent you in criminal court. Kenneth P. Hassett of Hassett and Associates, P.A. is a criminal defense attorney who represents clients in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Miami Dade County, and the rest of South Florida. Having a Extortion Lawyer to represent you in criminal court is advantageous, especially when charged with serious criminal offenses. Contact Hassett and Associates, P.A. for an immediate free consultation 24 hours per day seven days per week with a criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with these criminal offenses.
839.11 Extortion by officers of the state.
Disclaimer
The information on this page does not represent legal advice. Florida Statues obtained from Online Sunshine, www.leg.state.fl.us, the official site of the Florida Legislature. Because the law is continually changing, some of the provisions contained herein may be out of date. It is always wise to seek counsel from an experienced criminal attorney like Kenneth Hassett.
If you have been charged as an Accessory After the Fact or a Principal in the First Degree to a criminal offense in Broward or Miami-Dade County, call Criminal Defense Attorney Kenneth P. Hassett.