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Warning
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Simple English definitions for legal terms
blackmail
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A quick definition of blackmail:
Blackmail is when someone threatens to do something bad to you or tell a secret about you unless you give them something they want, like money or other valuable things. This is against the law and is a very mean thing to do.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Blackmail, also known as extortion, is when one person threatens to harm another person or their property, accuse them of a crime, or reveal their secrets unless they give them something valuable in return, such as money or property. This is illegal and considered a crime.
Examples:
- A person threatens to release embarrassing photos of someone unless they pay them $10,000.
- A business owner threatens to burn down a competitor's store unless they give them their customer list.
- A landlord threatens to evict a tenant unless they perform sexual favors for them.
These examples illustrate how one person is using threats to force another person to give them something valuable. This is illegal and can result in serious consequences for the person committing the blackmail.