Is blackmail a crime in colorado
Yes, blackmail is a crime in Colorado. Blackmail is considered a form of extortion, which is defined in Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.) § 18-3-503 as:
"A person commits extortion who, with intent to obtain property or an advantage, or with intent to compel or induce another person to do or omit an act, threatens to:
(a) Cause bodily harm to himself or another; or (b) Cause damage to property; or (c) Accuse someone of a crime or a violation of the law; or (d) Expose a secret or publicize an alleged wrongdoing; or (e) Take an action that would be likely to cause the person threatened to suffer economic loss or bodily harm."
Blackmail is a class 4 felony in Colorado, punishable by:
- 2 to 6 years in prison
- A fine of up to $500,000
- Restitution to the victim
It's important to note that blackmail can take many forms, including:
- Threatening to reveal a secret or embarrassing information
- Threatening to harm someone or their property
- Threatening to accuse someone of a crime
- Threatening to expose a person's illegal activities
If you are a victim of blackmail, it's important to report the incident to the authorities immediately. You can contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or your local law enforcement agency to file a report.
It's also important to note that Colorado has laws in place to protect individuals from retaliation or intimidation, including:
- C.R.S. § 18-3-502, which makes it a crime to retaliate against someone who has reported a crime or cooperated with an investigation
- C.R.S. § 18-3-503.5, which makes it a crime to intimidate or harass someone in order to prevent them from reporting a crime or cooperating with an investigation
If you are being blackmailed or are a victim of retaliation or intimidation, it's important to seek help and support from law enforcement, a lawyer, or a crisis hotline.