If you’re the victim of blackmail in Arizona, you might be wondering if the person blackmailing you can be charged with a crime. Read on to learn if blackmail is a crime in Arizona, what is the state’s laws, and what you can do if you’re the victim of this type of crime.
Is Blackmail Illegal in Arizona?
Blackmail is typically illegal in most states including Arizona. Under the Arizona statute, ARS 13-1804 people who commit this type of crime can be charged with a Class 2 felony which is punishable by up to 12 and a half years in state prison.
Under Arizona law, several threats can cause someone to be charged with extortion such as taking property from someone and threatening to:
- Physically injure them or threaten their life.
- Cause damage to their property.
- Falsely accuse them of a crime.
- Expose a damaging secret that can ruin a person’s reputation and life.
Blackmail Laws & Punishments in Arizona
The penalties for extortion in the state of Arizona are as follows:
As mentioned above extortion, where the victim was threatened with death, or physical injury is a Class 2 felony.
If a victim were to be threatened in any other nature the crime would be charged as a Class 4 felony. That can land someone in state prison for up to three years or more. If a person were to be charged with extortion again that can lead to seven to fifteen years in prison.
Other offenses can attribute to extortion under Arizona law.
- Bribery.
- Intimidating.
- Burglary.
What to do if you Become a Victim in Arizona? 8 Steps
When it comes to dealing with blackmail it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and there are steps you can take to protect yourself and get help. Here are eight steps you can take if you’re being blackmailed:
- Do not give in to the demands of your blackmailer! They will always come back for more!
- Document your entire interaction, this includes messages, calls, content, names, numbers, etc. This will help experts with their investigation.
- Implement strong privacy settings on all of your online accounts.
- Limit the amount of information you share about yourself online. You want to disable your blackmailer’s ability to find more information about you to use against you.
- Gather your evidence and contact your local authorities as well as the FBI, and internet blackmail experts.
- Victims should also contact a lawyer. An experienced attorney will be able to advise you on your legal options and help you build a case against the person who is blackmailing you.
- It is important to reach out to your friends and family for support. This can be a difficult and stressful time, and it is important to have people who care about you in your corner. Talk to your loved ones about what is going on and let them know how they can help.
- Take care of your mental health. Speak to experts if you are struggling emotionally. Blackmail can be a very traumatic experience for most victims.
We strongly advise victims mustn’t try to handle this crime on their own, these criminals are good at what they do and victims are not equipped to handle their schemes and power plays. The best thing you can do is gather what you can of your attacker and leave it in the hands of professionals.
If you find yourself the victim of blackmail, it is important to know that there are people who can help. Contact the police and an experienced attorney right away, and reach out to your friends and family for support. With their help, you will be able to get through this difficult time. Also, you can contact our blackmail helpline 24/7.
