Camden County NJ Theft by Extortion Lawyer

Criminal Defense Attorney with Offices in Collingswood, New Jersey

Theft by extortion, many times referred to as blackmail, involves threatening another person in order to obtain their property. In New Jersey, this crime can lead to several serious penalties including a prison sentence and restitution payments to the victim if convicted. If you have been charged with theft by extortion,it is imperative that you speak to an aggressive and experienced defense attorney that can help you get the most desirable result in your case.

The criminal defense team at the the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison defend clients charged with theft related offenses such as theft by deception, theft of movable property, and robbery in New Jersey including Burlington and Camden Counties. With around 40 years of combined experience, our defense attorneys know what it takes to help get you the most desirable result in your case. In fact, one of our attorneys has handled countless shoplifting cases and has been featured in the Daily Record from Morris County as a result of his success in several of these cases. This sort of expertise can be extremely valuable in your case. The Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are available anytime for a free initial consultation to speak with you about your case. Call us today at 877-450-8301.

Theft by Extortion in New Jersey 

The theft by extortion law is covered under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-5 which states that a person is guilty of the crime if he or she purposely and unlawfully obtains property of another by extortion. The statute defines extortion as threatening to:

(1) Inflict bodily injury on or physically confine or restrain anyone or commit any other criminal offense;

(2). Accuse anyone of an offense or cause charges of an offense to be instituted against any person;

(3). Expose or publicize any secret or any asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt or ridicule, or to impair his credit or business repute;

(4). Take or withhold action as an official, or cause an official to take or withhold action;

(5). Bring about or continue a strike, boycott or other collective action, if the property is not demanded or received for the benefit of the group in whose interest the actor purports to act;

(6). Testify or provide information or withhold testimony or information with respect to another’s legal claim or defense; or

(7). Inflict any other harm which would not substantially benefit the actor but which is calculated to materially harm another person.

Note: For numbers 2, 3, 4, and 6, it is an affirmative defense if the property was honestly taken as indemnification or restitution or as lawful compensation for services and/or property.

Theft by Extortion Degrees and Penalties in New Jersey

The degree of theft by extortion that you are charged with depends on the value of the property obtained.

Second Degree – New Jersey State Prison sentence of 5 to 10 years

• The property is worth at least $75,000
• The property is taken by extortion
• The property stolen is a controlled dangerous substance (“CDS”) and the quantity is more than one kilogram.

Third Degree – New Jersey State Prison sentence of 3 to 5 years

• The property is worth between $500 and $75,000;
• The property taken is a firearm, motor vehicle, vessel, boat, horse, domestic companion animal or airplane;
• The property taken is a CDS and the amount involved is less than $75,000 or is undetermined and the quantity is one kilogram or less;
• It is from the person of the victim
• The property taken is a New Jersey Prescription Blank.

Fourth Degree – New Jersey State Prison sentence of up to 18 months

• The property is worth between $200 and $500

If none of these apply, the theft is a disorderly persons offense which can result in 6 months in county jail.

Contact a Gloucester NJ Theft by Extortion Lawyer for Immediate Assistance

The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Leonard Biddison are always available to speak with you about your case and begin to formulate an aggressive strategy to defend you against your theft by extortion charge. Our criminal defense team understands the details of theft law in New Jersey and we will use this knowledge to help you best defend against these charges. Call us today at 877-450-8301 for a free initial consultation about your case.