California Penal Code §518 — Extortion
PC §518 defines extortion as the obtaining of property, money, or an official act from another, with that person's consent, induced by wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of official right. Extortion is a straight felony carrying 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison, plus a fine up to $10,000. When the wrongful means threatens exposure of a secret (blackmail) it typically proceeds under §519(4). Extortion is distinct from robbery (which lacks victim consent) and from theft by false pretenses.
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · Extortion Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §518 — Extortion at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §518 — Extortion |
| Code Type | Penal Code (PC) |
| Classification | Straight Felony |
| Penalty Range | 2, 3, or 4 years state prison |
| Fine | Up to $10,000 |
| Moral Turpitude | Yes — CIMT for immigration |
| Strike | No (unless GBI or firearm enhancement) |
| Restitution | Mandatory to victim |
| Free Consultation | (213) 723-2337 — 24/7 |
01 — What Is PC §518?
What Is California Penal Code §518?
PC §518 Reads:
"Extortion is the obtaining of property or other consideration from another, with his or her consent, or the obtaining of an official act of a public officer, induced by a wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of official right."
— California Penal Code §518(a)
Extortion (sometimes called 'blackmail' when the threat is exposure of secrets) requires (1) a wrongful threat, (2) that induces (3) consent by the victim to give property or perform an official act. The victim's consent — however coerced — distinguishes extortion from robbery. §519 enumerates the qualifying threats: threat of unlawful injury; threat to accuse of a crime; threat to expose a secret; threat to report immigration status; threat by public officer to act or refrain from acting officially.
PC §518 vs. §211 vs. §422
§518 = property obtained by consent through wrongful threat. §211 = property taken by force or fear without consent (robbery). §422 = criminal threats without consideration or property transfer.
PC §518 — Extortion
Wrongful threat induces the victim to CONSENT to transfer property or perform an official act. Straight felony 2, 3, or 4 yrs prison.
PC §211 — Robbery
Property taken by force or fear WITHOUT consent. Serious-felony strike 2, 3, or 6 yrs prison. Distinguished from §518 by absence of consent.
Wrongfulness of the Threat Is Everything
A threat is wrongful only when the demanded property has no reasonable relationship to the harm threatened, or when the threat itself is prohibited by law. Threatening to sue over a legitimate debt is not extortion. Threatening to report a crime unless money is paid is extortion — even if the underlying crime is real. Rubin Law, P.C. attacks the 'wrongfulness' element and the good-faith-claim-of-right defense.
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §518
The prosecution must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Wrongful Threat or Force
Defendant threatened unlawful injury, accusation of crime, exposure of a secret, immigration report, or misuse of official position.
Consent Induced by Threat
Victim consented to transfer property or perform an official act because of the threat.
Obtained Property or Official Act
Defendant received property, money, or induced an official act from the victim.
Intent to Extort
Defendant acted with specific intent to obtain the property through the wrongful threat.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §518 Extortion in California
Sentencing exposure and commonly stacked charges.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extortion | PC §518/§520 | 2, 3, or 4 yrs state prison | Available | No |
| Attempted Extortion | PC §524 | Up to 1 yr jail or half of §520 prison | Available | No |
| Extortion of Signature | PC §522 | 2, 3, or 4 yrs prison | Available | No |
| Extortion by Letter | PC §523 | 2, 3, or 4 yrs prison | Available | No |
Aggravating Enhancements & Companion Charges
Firearm Enhancement
PC §12022.5
Personal use of a firearm during extortion adds 3, 4, or 10 years.
GBI Enhancement
PC §12022.7
Inflicting great bodily injury adds 3 years and elevates to strike status.
Aggregate Loss >$100k
PC §186.11
White-collar enhancement adds 1–5 years for pattern loss over $100,000.
Criminal Threats
PC §422
Frequently charged concurrently — wobbler.
Federal Hobbs Act
18 U.S.C. §1951
Federal parallel charge — up to 20 years for interstate extortion.
Collateral Consequences
- Crime of moral turpitude — deportation and inadmissibility for non-citizens
- Aggravated felony under INA §101(a)(43)(F) or (M) depending on facts
- Firearm-strike consequences if firearm enhancement attaches
- Professional-license revocation (attorney, real estate, healthcare)
- Mandatory restitution to victim
- Public record accessible to employers
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §518 Extortion Charges
Rubin Law, P.C. defense strategies for this charge.
Threat Was Not Wrongful
Demanding what defendant legitimately owed, or threatening lawful action reasonably related to the claim (e.g., civil lawsuit) is not extortion.
People v. Umana
Good-Faith Claim of Right
Honest belief in entitlement to the property — even mistaken — defeats specific intent. Common in debt-collection and civil-dispute cases.
People v. Tufunga
No Actual Consent
Victim never actually consented or transferred property. Attempted extortion under §524 remains, but not §518.
PC §518 element
No Causation
Victim transferred property for reasons unrelated to the threat (e.g., prior debt, business agreement).
CALCRIM 1830
First Amendment Speech
Truthful speech about newsworthy conduct, or negotiated non-disclosure of embarrassing but truthful information tied to civil settlement, may enjoy First Amendment protection.
People v. Miller
Attempt vs. Completed Extortion
Reduce §518 completed extortion to §524 attempted extortion — misdemeanor eligible, significantly reduced exposure.
Illegal Search / Miranda
Suppress statements without Miranda; suppress communications obtained via illegal wiretap or search.
Miranda / §1538.5
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §518 Extortion Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
How this case moves through LA County criminal courts.
- 1
Step 1 — Victim Report / Investigation
Reports often triggered by demand letters, texts, or recorded phone calls. Detectives review communications and financial records.
- 2
Step 2 — Search Warrants
Warrants target phones, computers, and communications platforms for threat evidence and intent evidence.
- 3
Step 3 — Arrest / Arraignment
Felony bail on §518 typically $50,000–$150,000, higher with firearm allegations.
- 4
Step 4 — Preliminary Hearing
Contest wrongfulness of threat, causation, and consent elements. Cross-examine victim on motive and communications.
- 5
Step 5 — Motion Practice
PC §995 to dismiss for insufficient evidence; PC §1538.5 to suppress illegally seized communications.
- 6
Step 6 — Plea, Trial, or Reduction
Common outcomes: reduction to §524 attempted extortion (misdemeanor eligible), civil-dispute resolution with dismissal, or negotiated plea avoiding CIMT.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §518 Extortion Cases
LA-area courts most commonly handling filings of this offense.
Clara Shortridge Foltz CJC
Downtown LA — DA Major Crimes and White-Collar divisions.
Van Nuys Courthouse
San Fernando Valley extortion filings.
Airport Courthouse
West LA and celebrity-victim extortion filings.
Long Beach Courthouse
Harbor-area extortion filings.
US District Court, Central District of CA
Federal Hobbs Act (§1951) parallel filings.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles Extortion Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with extortion and related offenses in Los Angeles County courts — including Clara Shortridge Foltz, Van Nuys, Compton, and Pomona. He understands that these cases are won in the details: the suppression hearing that eliminates key evidence, the preliminary hearing cross-examination that exposes a weak witness, the penalty phase argument that keeps a client out of the worst outcome.
This page was written and reviewed by Daniel A. Rubin, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, CA State Bar 302093, with 10+ years of experience defending clients charged under PC §518 in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | Extortion Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §518 Extortion Questions — Los Angeles
What is extortion under PC §518?
Obtaining property, money, or an official act from another with that person's consent, induced by wrongful use of force or fear, or under color of official right. Distinct from robbery because the victim consents to transfer under the coercion.
What is the penalty for extortion?
2, 3, or 4 years in state prison, plus a fine up to $10,000 and mandatory restitution. Enhancements for firearm use, GBI, or aggregate loss over $100,000 significantly increase exposure.
What is the difference between extortion and robbery?
Extortion (§518) requires victim consent — even coerced consent — to transfer property. Robbery (§211) requires taking without consent through force or fear. Robbery is a strike offense; extortion is not (absent enhancements).
Is a threat to sue extortion?
Not if the threatened suit is legitimate and reasonably related to the claim. A threat to sue over a real dispute is lawful. A threat to file a false criminal report unless paid is extortion — even if the underlying facts are true.
What if I was owed the money I demanded?
Good-faith claim of right is a viable defense. If defendant honestly believed in entitlement to the money and threatened lawful action reasonably related to the debt, this defeats specific intent to extort.
Is extortion a strike offense?
Extortion by itself is not a strike. But if a firearm-use enhancement (PC §12022.5) or GBI enhancement (PC §12022.7) attaches, the offense becomes a serious/violent felony strike under §667.5(c) or §1192.7(c).
Can extortion be blackmail?
Yes. When the wrongful threat is exposure of a secret (§519(4)), the offense is commonly called blackmail. The statute is still §518/§520 — no separate blackmail statute in California.
Are there immigration consequences?
Yes, severe. §518 is a crime of moral turpitude — deportable and inadmissible. May qualify as aggravated felony under INA §101(a)(43)(F) or (M) depending on sentence and loss.
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Charged With PC §518 Extortion in Los Angeles?
PC §518 is a straight felony with 2-4 years state prison, CIMT immigration risk, and enhancement exposure. Rubin Law, P.C. defends extortion cases with claim-of-right, civil-dispute, and First Amendment strategies. Call 24/7.