What is Extortion?
Definition of Extortion (Blackmail)
The definition for extortion in the Criminal Code of Canada is the act of making ‘threats, accusations, menaces or violence’ in order to induce the complainant to do something, usually pay money.
A threat to bring civil proceedings (lawsuit) is not considered a ‘threat’ for the purpose of a charge of Extortion.
What Are The Penalties For Extortion (Blackmail) in Canada?
The maximum penalty for an Extortion Crime (or Blackmail) is life imprisonment, and the minimum penalty is five (5) years in prison if a firearm is used.
Because this charge is often linked with other offences, such as firearms or weapons offences, the crown attorney is likely to prosecute it to the fullest extent of the law.
Extortion crimes often imply a level of sophistication that suggest the workings of a criminal enterprise and an intention to employ intimidation, for the purpose of making a sustained profit. Because of this, persons accused of an extortion charge will face a crown attorney who will ask the judge to treat the accused as a career violent criminal, who has no desire for rehabilitation, but only the wish to carry on his business for profit at the expense of the bodily integrity of others.
Most people automatically associate criminal extortion with organized crime. This is thanks to the vast history of this crime, which has been glamorized in the media, and portrayed as one of the main money-making schemes of any criminal organization.
Related Articles: Violent Crimes and Weapons Offences
When Is Extortion Considered a Criminal Offence?
There are many instances where extortion crimes result from misunderstandings between the accused and the complainant, in the context of a dispute over money. Thus, the allegation has nothing to do with the workings of organized criminals. In the absence of a threat of violence, the dispute is of a civil nature, and should not involve the incursion of the criminal law.
The Complainant Owes Me Money!
The Criminal Law Team recognizes that hard-working clients can be duped of their money, and that a complainant may turn the situation around to take the pressure off of him or her to pay their debts. We observe that many complainant’s have a checkered past when it comes to paying their bills and we will use this ‘weapon’ to turn the tables back around to put the spotlight on who the real culprit is.
The Criminal Law Team has successfully defended clients charged with Extortion crimes by, for example, convincing the crown attorney or the Court that, even if there was a threat of violence, the threat was done in circumstances where our client was frustrated by the complainant’s lies and deceit, which were intended to avoid paying a debt dutifully owed to him.
Have You Been Charged With Extortion?
If you’ve been charged with an extortion crime or blackmail, you will need an experienced Criminal Lawyer to defend your case. As noted above, the penalties are steep, if convicted. Please click on the button below and call us today for your free confidential case evaluation.
See What our Client’s are saying about us. We have an outstanding success rate in defence of our clients.
Client Testimonials
I appreciate the quick response. Stephen Hebscher gave me extremely good advice about my situation. I was being extorted by an employee of mine,and he helped me resolve the matter within days. Now I don¹t have this black cloud hanging over my head. I will highly suggest Stephen and The Criminal Law Team to anyone that needs the help of an experienced criminal lawyer! Thanks again!
M.A.
I came to Stephen Hebscher with a somewhat irregular case. Both my spouse and I had been mutually charged with domestic assault, a legal situation that neither of us had wished upon each other. While my spouse's lawyer had been content to seek mutually binding peace bonds, Stephen was able to get in front of the case and negotiate a withdrawal of both of our charges- the best possible outcome on BOTH sides of the table – once we successfully completing the PARs program. I remain entirely pleased with Stephen's competency, professionalism and accessibility, and would not hesitate to recommend him as a criminal defence lawyer. L.A.
Mr. Hebscher: I would like to thank you for your excellent representation of me in relation to the domestic assault charges that you worked so hard to have withdrawn. You have made a critical difference in my future and I am very happy with the outcome.I also appreciate your hard work, and the extra time and effort you have put in to deal with all the other issues that came along. I thank you for being a phone call away (or email) even when you did not have to be.I will gladly recommend your services to any of my friends or family should they ever need it. I am very grateful for what you have done.
M.B. Toronto
Dear Bruce KartenI wanted to send a note to express my family’s gratitude for everything you have done for my brother. With his mental illness, and the serious charges that were laid against him that included arson and endangering life under the Criminal Code of Canada, we were terrified of what was going to happen to him. These charges could well have resulted in him being sentenced to jail for a period of 10 years or more.I did not know what to expect when I made that first call to you, Bruce, but through the months it took to resolve this, your professionalism, knowledge and patience in explaining what you were planning to do in a way that we were able to understand, made us feel less anxious and more hopeful. Thanks to you, his charges were substantially reduced and he received a sentence that allowed him to continue to receive the medical help he needs to recover and look to putting his life back together. Any period of jail would have been devastating to his chances of recovering from this devastating situation. We would recommend you, Bruce Karten, without hesitation, to anyone in need of an excellent criminal defense lawyer.Thank you,Shirley, T., Whitby, Ontario
Dear Mr. Hebscher: I wish to commend and thank you for your recent handling of my friend’s court case. Your compassionate and thorough scrutiny of the circumstances lead to a withdrawal verdict. Thank you so much. I was most impressed and should I ever be in a similar serious situation you will be the first person I call. Again, you represent all the good side of lawyers.C.M.Toronto, ON
Dear Mr. Hebscher: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you ever so much for your great professionalism and humane service to me at a time of profound confusion and in dire need of legal counsel. From my first introduction via telephone, your voice made me feel comfortable. Dealing with you from the beginning to end kept me reassured I was in good hands. The final outcome of my court case, which was “withdrawn” confirmed that I truly had a good lawyer on my side and it was your advocacy that convinced the crown. I would highly recommend you to anyone in need of an excellent criminal lawyer. Once again, I thank you and God bless.M.J.Toronto
Excellent news!
I am impressed especially after our meeting on Monday – I was resigned that something bad would befall me, so I am very blessed to have this outcome. I thank you for the hard work that you have put into this case, and the dedication on getting me this fantastic outcome!
I am so glad that we retained you as my lawyer! You have done an outstanding job and allowed me to now rebuild my life. Thank you, Bruce Karten.
Dave B. (Ajax, Ontario)
We were referred to Stephen Hebscher when our child was in need of legal representation. He was charged with sexual assault. As parents, we were quite frightened for our child but Mr. Hebscher was the calm voice of reason. We are very grateful to Mr. Hebscher for the excellent results he got for our child, as the charges were dropped.
J.N. (Toronto, Ontario)
Mr. Hebscher is a very professional lawyer who takes pride in his work and because of this the end result was the judge ruling me not guilty and I got my innocence and life back. My family and I would like to thank you again Stephen Hebscher for doing a wonderful job and also being a very supportive man.
Chris T. (Scarborough, Ontario)
I am happy to report that Bruce’s superior negotiation strategy and ability to present facts effectively helped convince the Crown to reduce his position. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bruce for getting my charge withdrawn and keep my criminal record clean.
J.S (Toronto, Ontario)
I looked and found Barrister Stephen Hebscher I introduced myself and my case and after listening to all details he was able to ensure me that my case would go well. All charges against me have be thrown out and my life is back to normal.
Blair H. (North York)
Bruce ...The care and concern you showed us during our dealings certainly helped to reduce the stress we were under. I would recommend you without a second thought. Your winning record is a bonus as well. My husband and myself can't thank you enough for all you've done for our family.
Debi T. (Mississauga, Ontario)
Dear Mr. Hebscher...There are not enough words to express my appreciation for your...giving me your undivided attention at all times, work in my case with your heart and soul, that makes you "ONE OF A KIND" lawyer.
Ahmed A. (Brampton, Ontario)
Mr. Bruce Karten was able to help to extricate me from a very serious criminal case containing severe charges, including weapons –threat to use weapons, death threat, harassment,etc. He succeeded in winning my case. I was discharged; was able to keep my career, and no criminal record. This was a tremendous accomplishment, and I am very appreciative of that.
Nickolai V. (Toronto, Ontario)
Again, from the depth of our hearts we sincerely thank you very much for being my Counsel on this case. We now can say you are the BEST and we will surely recommend you to our friends and anybody here we know who needs the best Lawyer in Ontario. You have done an extremely good job and we are very happy with the outcome this morning.
Roman A. (Markham, Ontario)
Mr. Hebscher was the only lawyer who gave me hope and made me feel like I had a real fighting chance. I am extremely satisfied with the quick results that he delivered, and I am happy to say that he was able to convince the court to drop the charges against me and clear my name.
Tina M. (Toronto, Ontario)
