Are you a victim of blackmail in Arkansas? As a victim of a crime, it can be difficult to feel secure in your own home or community. Unfortunately, Arkansas has seen an increase in these types of crimes over recent years, so much so that its overall crime rate ranks higher than many states across the nation. This blog post discusses blackmail in Arkansas and what to do if you become a victim.
Is Blackmail a Crime in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, blackmail is considered a crime. According to state law, blackmail online can be classified as a Class D felony. Those convicted of the crime may face prison time and/or fines, depending on the severity of their actions. Even if the alleged victim decides not to prosecute, those accused of this crime may still face criminal charges in Arkansas. While one should always consult a lawyer before making any legal decisions or taking action against an individual accused of blackmail, understanding how the law views such criminal acts is invaluable knowledge for anyone living in Arkansas.
Blackmail Laws in Arkansas
Arkansas has some of the strictest blackmail laws in the region. Listed below are the laws in place.
- Under A.R.S 13-1804, blackmail: Without physical harm – Class 2 felony. Which if convicted could be 1-3 years in prison. All other forms of blackmail – Class 4 felony.
If the crime falls under cyber sextortion or Extortion the laws are listed below:
- AR Code 5-14-113
A person commits the offense of sexual extortion if:
1. With the purpose to coerce another person to engage in sexual contact or sexually explicit conduct, the person communicates a threat to:
- Damage the property or harm the reputation of the other person; or
- Produce or distribute a recording of the other person engaged in sexually explicit conduct or depicted in a state of nudity;
2. With the purpose to produce or distribute a recording of a person in a state of nudity or engaged in sexually explicit conduct, the person communicates a threat to:
- Damage the property or harm the reputation of the other person; or
- Produce or distribute a recording of the other person engaged in sexually explicit conduct or depicted in a state of nudity; or
3. The person knowingly causes another person to engage in sexual contact or sexually explicit conduct or to produce or distribute a recording of a person in a state of nudity or engaged in sexually explicit conduct by communicating a threat to:
- Damage the property or harm the reputation of the other person; or
- Produce or distribute a recording of the other person engaged in sexually explicit conduct or depicted in a state of nudity.
- Sexual extortion is a Class B felony.
What To Do If You Become a Victim in AR?
If you become a victim of crime in Arkansas, it is important to take steps to protect your rights and safety.
- You should call 911 or the local police department immediately if you feel like you are in danger.
- If possible, document any recognizable details of your experience or the perpetrator’s identity.
- It can also be beneficial to report internet blackmail and what happened to a close friend or family member.
- Additionally, you could file a complaint with the Arkansas Crime Information Center to further their investigations into the incident and provide closure.
Conclusions
In summary, the answer to the question “is blackmail illegal in Arkansas?” is yes. Even though this kind of extortion can carry serious consequences, victims need to remember that they’re not alone amidst the situation. With this post, we hope to have made readers more informed and aware of the potential risks associated with cyber blackmail in Arkansas.
