Blackmail in Oklahoma. We know it from television shows. Someone takes incriminating photos and then blackmails the person in the photographs to keep them from being posted on the Internet.
Blackmail is a serious crime in McAlester, Oklahoma, and law enforcement authorities take it seriously.
What is Blackmail in Oklahoma?
Blackmail can be done either verbally or in writing. It is grounded in the idea of forcing a person to take or not take a specific action against his or her will. The law defines a number of activities as blackmail in Oklahoma.
Blackmail can occur if you accuse or threaten to accuse a person of a crime or any other conduct that would be degrading or disgraceful to that person.
Let’s say you want a raise at work and you know that your boss has sexually harassed a co-worker in the office. Your boss refuses to give you the raise that you want. You threaten to file an administrative claim for harassment unless he gives you a raise. You have just blackmailed your boss.
Blackmail also happens if you expose or threaten to expose any fact or circumstance about a person that if known, would subject that person to ridicule or contempt.
Your boss still refuses to give you a raise. You know that he is having an extramarital affair and threaten to tell his wife about the affair unless he gives you a raise. Again, you could be found guilty of blackmail under Oklahoma law.
Finally, under Oklahoma law, blackmail occurs if you threaten to report someone as being illegally present in the U.S. coupled with the threat that the accusation will be communicated to another unless that person either gives you something of value or does some act against his or her will.
You know that the cleaning woman at the office is an illegal alien. You threaten to report her to immigration unless she has sex with you. You have again engaged in blackmail.
Penalties
In Oklahoma, a conviction on a blackmail charge could mean a five-year prison term and/or $10,000 in fines. (Okla. Stat. tit.21 § 1488) This could alter the course of your life if you are convicted.
Low-cost Consultation: McAlester Criminal Defense Attorney
If you or someone you know has been accused of blackmail in Oklahoma, please contact a McAlester criminal defense attorney to discuss your available legal options.
Consult with an experienced attorney at the Wirth Law Office – McAlester today, by calling 918-302-9656.
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