A person commits extortion when, with the intent prescribed in § 841 of this title, the person compels or induces another person to deliver property to the person or to a third person by means of instilling in the victim a fear that, if the property is not so delivered, the defendant or another will:

(1) Cause physical injury to anyone; or

(2) Cause damage to property; or

(3) Engage in other conduct constituting a crime; or

(4) Accuse anyone of a crime or cause criminal charges to be instituted against anyone; or

(5) Expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject anyone to hatred, contempt or ridicule; or

(6) Falsely testify or provide information or withhold testimony or information with respect to another’s legal claim or defense; or

(7) Use or abuse the defendant’s position as a public servant by performing some act within or related to the defendant’s official duties, or by failing or refusing to perform an official duty, in such manner as to affect some person adversely; or

(8) Perform any other act which is calculated to harm another person materially with respect to the person’s health, safety, business, calling, career, financial condition, reputation or personal relationships.

Attorney's Note

Under the Delaware Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class D felonyup to 8 years
Class E felonyup to 5 years
For details, see Del. Code Ann.tit. 11, § 4205

Have a question?
Click here to chat with a criminal defense lawyer and protect your rights.

Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 11 Sec. 846

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

Extortion is a class E felony, except where the victim is a person 62 years of age or older, in which case any violation of this section shall be a class D felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § ?846; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § ?1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § ?8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § ?1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 126, § ?12;