Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 873: Blackmail

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Demanding or receiving money or valuables by threatening to report a federal law violation is prohibited and punishable by fine or up to one year of imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever, under a threat of informing, or as a consideration for not informing, against any violation of any law of the United States, demands or receives any money or other valuable thing, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.