Which crime involves taking money by threat, where a threat may be mere words and the threat is the essence?

Which crime involves taking money by threat, where a threat may be mere words and the threat is the essence?

• A. Extortion
• B. Robbery
• C. Battery
• D. Assault

Answer: (A)

Extortion is the taking of money or property by threats, where the threat itself is the essence of the offense. The coercive threat can be expressed in words alone and doesn’t require the offender to carry out the threatened harm; the act of threatening to cause harm or expose something is what makes the crime. This differs from robbery, which involves taking property through force or intimidation during the act of taking itself, often with immediate fear or violence. Battery is unlawful physical contact, and assault is the attempt or threat of immediate harmful contact—neither centers on obtaining money by a coercive threat.

Extortion is the taking of money or property by threats, where the threat itself is the essence of the offense. The coercive threat can be expressed in words alone and doesn’t require the offender to carry out the threatened harm; the act of threatening to cause harm or expose something is what makes the crime. This differs from robbery, which involves taking property through force or intimidation during the act of taking itself, often with immediate fear or violence. Battery is unlawful physical contact, and assault is the attempt or threat of immediate harmful contact—neither centers on obtaining money by a coercive threat.