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==Origin==
==Origin==
[[Latin]] extort- participial stem of extorquēre, < ex- out + torquēre to twist.
[[literally]], To wrest or wring (something) from a [[person]]; to extract by [[torture]].
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]
==Definitions==
*1: the [[act]] or [[practice]] of extorting especially [[money]] or other [[property]]; especially : the [[offense]] committed by an official engaging in such practice
*2: something extorted; especially : a gross overcharge
==Description==
'''Extortion''', outwresting, and/or exaction is a [[criminal]] [[offense]] which occurs when a [[person]] unlawfully obtains either [[money]], [[property]] or services from a [[person]](s), [[entity]], or [[institution]], through [[coercion]]. Extortion is commonly [[practiced]] by [[organized]] [[crime]] [[groups]]. The actual obtainment of [[money]] or [[property]] is not required to commit the [[offense]]. Making a threat of [[violence]] which refers to a requirement of a payment of [[money]] or property to halt [[future]] [[violence]] is sufficient to commit the offense. Exaction refers not only to extortion or the unlawful demanding and obtaining of something through [[force]] but additionally, in its [[formal]] [[definition]], means the infliction of something such as [[pain]] and [[suffering]] or making somebody [[endure]] something unpleasant.
In extortion, the [[victim]] is threatened to hand over goods, or else damage to their reputation or other harm or violence against them may occur. Under federal law extortion can be committed with or without the use of [[force]] and with or without the use of a [[weapon]]. A key [[difference]] is that extortion always involves a [[written]] or verbal threat whereas robbery can occur without any verbal or written threat.
The term extortion is often used [[metaphorically]] to refer to [[usury]] or to price-gouging, though neither is [[legally]] considered extortion. It is also often used loosely to refer to everyday situations where one [[person]] feels indebted against their will, to another, in order to [[receive]] an essential [[service]] or avoid legal consequences. For example, certain lawsuits, fees for services such as [[banking]], automobile insurance, gasoline prices, and even [[taxation]], have all been labeled "legalized extortion" by people with various [[social]] or [[political]] [[beliefs]].
Neither extortion nor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackmail blackmail] require a threat of a [[criminal]] act, such as [[violence]], merely a threat used to elicit [[actions]], [[money]], or [[property]] from the object of the extortion. Such threats include the filing of reports (true or not) of criminal [[behavior]] to the [[police]], revelation of damaging [[facts]] (such as pictures of the object of the extortion in a [[compromising]] position), etc.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extortion]
[[Category: Law]]