There are several kinds of extortion charges in the state of California. Penal Code 526 is one such example. PC 526 handles the charge of extortion by a fake court order. This charge is considered a misdemeanor in California.
Convictions for a PC 526 violation lead to fines and jail time. The Simmrin Law Group can provide you with additional information about how to fight an extortion by a fake court order charge.
Understanding Extortion in California
Extortion is a serious crime in California and is actually a stand-alone criminal charge prosecuted under Penal Code 526. Individuals commit extortion when they threaten others in order to obtain something of value. Extortion can involve:
- Promising to engage in physical violence
- Revealing someone’s secret
- Claiming someone committed a crime
Extortion charges are taken very seriously in the state of California. This is true even if the alleged victim refuses to give in to the extortion. Attempts to extort someone can result in a criminal conviction in California.
Individuals can also be extorted by threatening a third party. For example, let’s say that Man A wants to extort Man B. He decides to threaten Man C in order to get Man B to cooperate. This is also a form of extortion in California.
For a free legal consultation with an extortion by fake court order lawyer serving California, call (310) 896-2723
Proving Extortion With a False Document
Proving extortion requires the prosecution to elaborate on four separate aspects of the term. To convict you of extortion with a false document, the prosecution must establish that you:
- Threatened another person’s safety, secrets, property, or loved ones with a falsified document
- Intended to use your threat to make a victim provide you with means or a service
- Received the means or services that you allegedly requested
The prosecution must also establish that the alleged victim only complied with your request out of fear. If the prosecution can’t prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you engaged in all these behaviors, you can fight for a reduced charge.
What’s more, representatives in court will have to prove that any documentation you allegedly used was falsified in the first place. You can discuss your circumstances with a criminal defense attorney. Together you can determine how best to contest the evidence that the prosecution might bring against you.
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Related Extortion Violations
Defendants charged with extortion with a false document may also be accused of additional crimes. The charges most often tied to PC 526 violations include:
- Extortion of signature
- Extortion using a threatening personal document
- Robbery
All three of these violations carry felony charges if you’re charged and convicted. When you compound these charges with extortion by fake court order, you risk fines of over $10,000. A conviction may also see you face aggravated prison sentences.
According to PC 211, robbery carries a risk of up to nine years in prison. Similarly, PC 522 assigns up to four years in prison to anyone convicted of either extortion of signature or extortion by threatening personal documents.
If you’re facing multiple charges of extortion or robbery, you can talk with an attorney about how the relationship between these charges changes your case.
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Understanding PC 526 Charges in Los Angeles
Not all extortion charges in California are prosecuted under PC 526. Individuals should only face PC 526 charges if they carry out extortion if they deliver, or have delivered, to someone false papers or documents assumed to be tied to a court process.
For example, say that a man creates and prints out a citation for a parking violation. He gives the citation to his girlfriend and tells her he found it on her vehicle. He attempts to have her give him the money to pay the fake fine. This is an example of a PC 526 violation.
You can get additional information about PC 526 violations and how to fight them from the Simmrin Law Group. Start getting answers to your legal questions from a criminal defense lawyer today.
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Penalties for PC 526 Charges in California
The court treats PC 526 violations as misdemeanors. Misdemeanor-level offenses are very serious in California. Individuals convicted of PC 526 charges can face:
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- Up to six months of jail time
However, judges sometimes offer probation for PC 526 violations. Individuals who get probation can avoid jail time. However, they have to adhere to all the rules handed down by the court as the terms of their probation.
In addition to PC 526, there are additional charges for prosecuting extortion in the state of California. Some of these charges can lead to more serious penalties. Individuals can face charges under Penal Code 522 for obtaining a signature by extortion. They can also face charges under Penal Code 523 for extortion by means of a threatening letter.
An alleged victim refuses extortion by fake court order. If you think someone may be trying to frame you for extortion by fake court document, call our team of criminal defense attorneys.
Let Us Help You Construct a Defense Against PC 526 Accusations
Not all PC 526 accusations lead to a conviction here in California. In some cases, a lawyer can help you build a strong defense. Allow our experienced criminal defense team to assess your situation and help you show that:
You Did Not Make a Threat
Extortion directly involves threatening someone to get something from them. If you did not make a threat against the other person, you may be able to avoid a PC 526 charge. This may involve a situation where it’s your word against someone else’s. Your lawyer can help you gather evidence to support your claims in this situation.
You Did Not Use a Fake Court Order
PC 526 deals specifically with the use of a fake court order to carry out extortion. If you did not create or use a fake court order, you could avoid conviction. Allow a lawyer to show that you never generated a falsified court order.
Learn About Extortion By a Fake Court Order Now
The team at the Simmrin Law Group is here to help if you were accused of extortion by a fake court order. Reach out to us if you were charged under Penal Code 526. Allow members of our team to take charge of your defense.
You can call our team or complete our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation. Don’t wait to get help. Contact us now!
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