Extortion & Bribery – 518-527
When force or threats are used to compel another person to give you money or other property, or are used to compel a public officer to perform an official act, this is extortion (also known as blackmail). If you are the public official and use that role to to compel another person to give you money or property, this is also extortion.
Extortion in California is in most cases a felony punishable by two to four years of jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Bribery is similar, but the money or item of value is used to compel a public officer to influence a public matter. The laws in California target both sides of a bribery transaction and recognize that the bribe can be provided to the official or the official can ask for the bribe.
Based on the details of the crime, punishments include time in jail or prison, fines, and/or forfeiture of office. There may also be restitution between $2,000 and $10,000.