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Blackmail is a very serious offence. In most cases, blackmail offences proceed straight to the Crown Court and it is likely that you will face a lengthy custodial sentence if convicted. This offence relates to any crime where a party has made threats to another to reveal information, unless some form of demand, usually payment, is met.
Extortion is taking another’s property and threatening them with harm in the future. It is often carried out in a business or professional setting and regarded as “white collar crime.” This can also be accompanied by a significant penalty.
If you are suspected of or charged with any such offences, you should seek legal advice at your earliest opportunity. The experienced criminal defence lawyers at Tyler Hoffman can review the evidence against you, evaluate the best approach to your defence and stand by your side throughout any police investigation or criminal proceedings. Our pragmatic advice and support can help you to secure the best possible result when you are facing criminal charges.
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Tyler Hoffman is a law firm with a strong foundation in defending blackmail and extortion offences. We offer our clients a full range of services based on the following tenets:
Contact our team today for expert legal advice and representation.
Blackmail and extortion are serious criminal offences under the Theft Act 1968 and common law principles. While “extortion” is commonly used in everyday language, it does not exist as a separate statutory offence in England and Wales. Instead, the types of conduct described as extortion are typically prosecuted under the offence of blackmail or other related crimes, such as demanding money with menaces or offences under the Fraud Act 2006.
A person is guilty of blackmail if they make any unwarranted demand with a view to gain for themselves or another, or with intent to cause loss to another. To convict an alleged perpetrator, the prosecution must show that:
By way of illustration, our criminal defence team has encountered criminal cases of blackmail and extortion involving all of the following:
It is important to work closely with an experienced law firm if you are accused of blackmail, as a strong defence will be needed to avoid the maximum sentence. Tyler Hoffman's crime team has relevant expertise and is available 24/7 to discuss your needs.
Blackmail is tried in the Crown Court and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years’ imprisonment if you are found guilty. Depending on the harm caused to the alleged victim and the culpability of the suspect, the court may impose a shorter sentence, but this is rare and relies on a strong defence built by a specialist team. Other possible penalties include confiscation of any proceeds under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 if the blackmailer financially benefited from the scheme, reputational damage and professional consequences (such as loss of employment and removal from regulatory bodies) for white collar criminals. You may also be subject to a restraining order to protect the victim from further contact.
Tyler Hoffman provides skilled defence for individuals accused of arson, addressing both the intentional setting of fires and the resulting damage or harm. We focus on challenging the evidence of intent and examining the circumstances that led to the fire, aiming to reduce or dismiss charges based on factual and technical analyses.
Our criminal defence solicitors defend clients facing charges ranging from common assault to aggravated bodily harm. We examine the context of the alleged incident, exploring defences such as self-defence, defence of another, or mistaken identity, ensuring that your side of the story is robustly represented.
Our criminal defence lawyers have experience in defending clients accused of benefit fraud, which involves allegations of deceitfully claiming government benefits. We focus on demonstrating the legitimacy of claims or misunderstanding of eligibility requirements, aiming for reduced penalties or case dismissal.
We provide defence for clients involved in allegations of obtaining money, property, or favourable actions through threats. Our approach includes scrutinising the evidence, protecting client privacy, and negotiating to mitigate the impact of such charges.
Our solicitors defend against charges of property damage, focusing on intent and the actual circumstances leading to the damage. We contest the valuation of damage and aim to demonstrate lack of malicious intent, which can be pivotal in the outcome of the case.
Handling sensitive cases of child neglect, Tyler Hoffman solicitors work to understand and convey the complexities of clients' family dynamics. We emphasise factors such as socioeconomic challenges, aiming to achieve resolutions that favour family preservation.
For conspiracy charges, where individuals are accused of agreeing to commit a crime, our focus is on disproving the existence of an agreement or criminal intent. We meticulously review communications and interactions to challenge prosecutorial interpretations.
Tyler Hoffman is adept at handling cybercrime cases, from unauthorised access to data breaches. We utilise specialists to challenge digital evidence and address the technicalities of internet law, ensuring a defence that is informed by cutting-edge technological insights.
For owners charged with having a dangerous dog, our defence strategy involves proving responsible pet ownership and challenging any misconceptions about the animal's behaviour. We also focus on the circumstances of the alleged incident to mitigate legal consequences.
Our firm defends clients against all types of drug offences, including possession, trafficking, and production. We challenge the legality of searches and seizures, the accuracy of substance identification, and intent, which are crucial for a robust defence.
Tyler Hoffman represents businesses and individuals accused of violating environmental laws. Our strategy involves demonstrating compliance with regulations, or negotiating penalties focusing on remedial actions taken by the accused.
In fraud cases, we focus on the intent to deceive and the actual loss or gain. Our solicitors trace financial transactions to provide a clear picture of the client’s actions, challenging allegations of deceitful intent. We have a team dedicated to handling criminal investigations involving fraud accusations.
Handling firearms offences, we address issues around possession, licensing and intent. We defend clients by challenging the prosecution’s evidence regarding the legality of the firearm possession and the circumstances under which it was found.
We defend against harassment charges by examining the nature and context of the behaviour in question. Our focus is on disproving any intent to cause distress or fear, aiming for acquittal or reduced charges.
Tyler Hoffman offers defence for serious charges like human trafficking, focusing on the intricacies of international law and the specific actions of the accused. We challenge the prosecution’s narrative by presenting alternative explanations for the accused's conduct.
Our solicitors defend against kidnap and false imprisonment allegations by challenging evidence around consent and the circumstances of the detainment, aiming to highlight inconsistencies in the prosecution's case.
We defend clients accused of laundering money by demonstrating lawful sources of income and challenging the alleged connections to criminal activities. Our detailed financial analyses are crucial to undermining the prosecution’s claims.
Tyler Hoffman handles the most serious of allegations with a focus on meticulous evidence review, motive analysis, and challenging prosecutorial evidence. We explore all possible defences, from self-defence to diminished responsibility.
Defending against these serious allegations involves challenging the intent and circumstances under which the alleged acts occurred. We focus on discrepancies and motivations to provide a strong defence.
Our solicitors handle POCA proceedings by protecting assets and demonstrating lawful ownership or origins of property, crucial for mitigating the impact of confiscation orders.
We defend against robbery charges by challenging identifications, the presence of a weapon, and the circumstances of the alleged offence, focusing on inconsistencies in witness testimonies and procedural issues.
Our firm defends against all forms of theft by focusing on intent and ownership disputes. We challenge the value of stolen items and circumstances surrounding the alleged theft to reduce or dismiss charges.