Legal Definitions - extortion

Extortion is when someone uses force or threats to make someone else do something or give them something valuable. This is a crime and is illegal.

For example, if a person threatens to hurt someone if they don't give them money, that is extortion. Another example is if a public official uses their power to force someone to do something for them, like giving them money or doing a favor for them.

It's important to note that not all negotiations or deals are considered extortion. If two parties are negotiating a contract, they cannot use threats or force to get what they want. However, they can use legitimate negotiation tactics like making something look better than it is (puffing).

Overall, extortion is a serious crime that involves using force or threats to get something valuable from someone else.