Pittsburgh Attorney Defending You Against Theft By Extortion Charges
A theft by extortion charge can upend your life in days. If you are facing criminal accusations in Pennsylvania, you do not have to go through this alone. I am Ryan M. Tutera, and I am committed to defending you at every stage of this fight.
The Legal Definition Under Pennsylvania Law
Under Pennsylvania law, theft by extortion is the intentional act of obtaining property from another person through specific threats. Extortion falls under the broader category of white collar crimes. These cases can be complex and are sometimes pursued in federal court, making the situation even more serious for those accused.
Common Types Of Threats Involved
This type of charge often arises from one or more of the following types of threats:
- Threatening to expose a secret or deeply personal information
- Threatening to accuse someone of a crime
- Threatening to cause physical harm to a person or their loved ones
- Threatening to damage someone’s professional reputation or career
- Threatening to withhold or take a specific action against the victim
All of these scenarios fall within the scope of Pennsylvania law and carry real, lasting consequences.
Penalties You Could Be Facing
Depending on the value of the property involved and the nature of the allegations, theft by extortion in Pennsylvania can range from a first-degree misdemeanor (up to five years in prison) to a third-, second-, or first-degree felony (carrying up to seven, 10 or 20 years in prison, respectively).
A conviction can affect your employment, your housing and your personal relationships for many years.
Common Defense Strategies
As your criminal defense lawyer, I will examine every element of the prosecution’s case against you. Common defenses in cases like this include:
- Lack of intent to obtain property through coercion
- Absence of a credible or actual threat
- Insufficient evidence supporting the charges
- Constitutional violations that occurred during the investigation
The prosecution must prove both coercion and intent, and I will challenge those elements at every turn.
Contact The Law Office of Ryan M. Tutera To Schedule An Appointment
Your freedom, your reputation and your future are worth defending. When you are ready to take action, I am here and prepared to help. Reach out to my firm today at 412-899-3817 to set an appointment and take the first step toward protecting what matters most to you.