Iowa Code 711.4 – Extortion
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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1. A person commits extortion if the person does any of the following with the purpose of obtaining for oneself or another anything of value, tangible or intangible, including labor or services:
a. Threatens to inflict physical injury on some person, or to commit any public offense.
b. Threatens to accuse another of a public offense.
c. Threatens to expose any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule.
d. Threatens to harm the credit or business or professional reputation of any person.
e. Threatens to take or withhold action as a public officer or employee, or to cause some public official or employee to take or withhold action.
f. Threatens to testify or provide information or to withhold testimony or information with respect to another’s legal claim or defense.
g. Threatens to wrongfully injure the property of another.
Attorney's Note
Under the Iowa Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class D felony | up to 5 years | between $1,025 and $10,245 |
Terms Used In Iowa Code 711.4
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
- person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
- property: includes personal and real property. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
2. Extortion is a class “D” felony.
3. It is a defense to a charge of extortion that the person making a threat other than a threat to commit a public offense, reasonably believed that the person had a right to make such threats in order to recover property, or to receive compensation for property or services, or to recover a debt to which the person has a good faith claim.
4. A person convicted of extortion under this section shall be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the provisions of chapter 692A, if a determination is made that the offense was sexually motivated pursuant to section 692A.126.