District of Columbia
Is Blackmail Illegal in D.C.? Extortion and Blackmail Laws
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 17, 2026). · 11 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Yes. Blackmail is a crime in the District of Columbia by that name: under D.C. Code § 22-3252, threatening to accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret, impair a reputation, distribute a photo, video or audio recording, or report immigration or citizenship status, with intent to obtain property or to make someone do or refrain from doing any act, is punishable by up to 5 years. Extortion is a separate offense under § 22-3251: obtaining or attempting to obtain property through force, violence or a wrongful threat of economic injury, or under color of official right, punishable by up to 10 years.
Information last verified on October 17, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This article covers the District of Columbia's extortion and blackmail statutes (D.C. Code §§ 22-3251 and 22-3252), the fine schedule in § 22-3571.01, and related offenses in §§ 22-2801, 22-407, 22-1810, 22-3052 and 22-3102. It does not cover what to do if you are being threatened or how to get images taken down (see our sextortion scams guide), the crime of sharing intimate images itself (see revenge porn laws by state), federal offenses (covered on our extortion and blackmail laws by state hub), or the laws of Maryland and Virginia.
What is blackmail in D.C.?
D.C. Code § 22-3252(a) defines the offense:
"A person commits the offense of blackmail when that person, with intent to obtain property of another or to cause another to do or refrain from doing any act, threatens to: (1) Accuse another person of a crime; (2) Expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject another person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, embarrassment, or other injury to reputation; (3) Impair the reputation of another person, including a deceased person; (4) Distribute a photograph, video, or audio recording, whether authentic or inauthentic, tending to subject another person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, embarrassment, or other injury to reputation; or (5) Notify a federal, state, or local government agency or official of, or publicize, another person's immigration or citizenship status."
Three features of the text stand out. The offense is the threat made with the required intent; the statute's words do not require that anything be handed over. The intent can be to obtain property or "to cause another to do or refrain from doing any act," so a demand for something other than money is covered. And the exposure clause reaches an asserted fact "whether true or false," while the recording clause reaches a recording "whether authentic or inauthentic."
What is extortion in D.C.?
D.C. Code § 22-3251(a) defines extortion:
"A person commits the offense of extortion if: (1) That person obtains or attempts to obtain the property of another with the other's consent which was induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force or violence or by wrongful threat of economic injury; or (2) That person obtains or attempts to obtain property of another with the other's consent which was obtained under color or pretense of official right."
Extortion is about property. Its threat list is force or violence and economic injury, plus the official-right branch. Threats to accuse, expose or embarrass are listed in the blackmail statute, not the extortion statute.
Is extortion or blackmail a felony in D.C.?
Neither section uses the word felony. Each sets a maximum prison term instead:
- Extortion: a person convicted "shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both" (§ 22-3251(b)).
- Blackmail: a person convicted "shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both" (§ 22-3252(b)).
Neither statute has value tiers; the maximum is the same whatever the amount involved. Under § 22-3601, extortion or blackmail accompanied by threats of violence (a crime of violence under § 23-1331(4)) committed against a person 65 or older may be punished by up to 1 1/2 times the maximum prison term and fine.
The fine comes from D.C. Code § 22-3571.01(b), which sets the fine as "not more than the greatest of" several amounts. The amounts it lists by prison term include "$12,500 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 5 years or less but more than one year" and "$25,000 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 10 years or less but more than 5 years." Those are the tiers that match blackmail's 5-year and extortion's 10-year maximums.
D.C. extortion and blackmail penalties
| Offense | Statute | What it prohibits | Class | Statutory penalty range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extortion | D.C. Code § 22-3251 | Obtaining or attempting to obtain property with consent induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force or violence or wrongful threat of economic injury, or under color or pretense of official right | No class stated | Up to 10 years, a fine under § 22-3571.01 (that section's tier for this term is $25,000), or both |
| Blackmail | § 22-3252 | With intent to obtain property or to cause another to act or refrain, threatening any of five listed things (accusation, exposure, reputation, recordings, immigration or citizenship status) | No class stated | Up to 5 years, a fine under § 22-3571.01 (that section's tier for this term is $12,500), or both |
| Robbery | § 22-2801 | Taking anything of value from the person or immediate actual possession of another by force or violence, or by putting in fear | No class stated | 2 to 15 years |
| Threats to do bodily harm | § 22-407 | Threats to do bodily harm; no demand required | No class stated | Up to 6 months, a fine under § 22-3571.01, or both |
| Threatening to kidnap or injure a person or damage property | § 22-1810 | Threatening to kidnap any person, injure another person, or physically damage property; no demand required | No class stated | Up to 20 years, a fine under § 22-3571.01, or both |
| Unlawful disclosure of sexual images | § 22-3052 | Knowingly disclosing sexual images of an identifiable person when the conditions the section lists are met, one of which is intent to harm the person depicted or to receive financial gain | Misdemeanor | Up to 180 days, a fine under § 22-3571.01, or both |
Is it extortion or blackmail to threaten to sue or report someone in D.C.?
The statutes answer this only through their words. The blackmail list includes a threat to "accuse another person of a crime," made with intent to obtain property or to cause another to do or refrain from doing any act. Neither § 22-3251 nor § 22-3252 contains a written exception for a claim of right or a lawful demand, and neither mentions lawsuits or online reviews by name. How the statutes apply to a particular demand is a question for a court and a lawyer licensed in the District.
Is sextortion a crime in D.C.?
The District's extortion subchapter, which contains only §§ 22-3251 and 22-3252, has no offense named sextortion or sexual extortion. The blackmail statute's fourth clause covers a threat to:
"Distribute a photograph, video, or audio recording, whether authentic or inauthentic, tending to subject another person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, embarrassment, or other injury to reputation"
when it is made with intent to obtain property or to cause another to do or refrain from doing any act. Because the clause covers recordings "whether authentic or inauthentic," its words are not limited to real images. The Council added that clause, and the immigration-status clause, in the Sexual Blackmail Elimination and Immigrant Protection Amendment Act of 2018 (D.C. Law 22-308), which took effect on April 26, 2019.
Where the person pressured is under 18, D.C. Code § 22-3102(a)(1) separately makes it a crime to knowingly employ, authorize or induce a person under 18 "to engage in a sexual performance." Section 22-3101 defines a performance to include a photograph or electronic representation, and a sexual performance as one that includes sexual conduct by a person under 18. Under § 22-3103 it is a felony punishable by up to 10 years, a fine under § 22-3571.01, or both for a first offense, and up to 20 years, a fine, or both for a subsequent offense.
If you are being threatened with the release of images, our sextortion scams guide explains reporting and removal steps. The District's rules on AI-generated images are covered on our District of Columbia deepfake laws page.
Actually disclosing sexual images is a separate offense. Under § 22-3052, it is unlawful to knowingly disclose sexual images of an identified or identifiable person when the conditions the section lists are met, one of which is that the person disclosed them "with the intent to harm the person depicted or to receive financial gain." It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 180 days, a fine, or both. See revenge porn laws by state for more.
Crimes often confused with extortion in D.C.
- Robbery. Under § 22-2801, taking anything of value from the person or immediate actual possession of another "by force or violence, whether against resistance or by sudden or stealthy seizure or snatching, or by putting in fear" is robbery, punishable by 2 to 15 years.
- Threats to do bodily harm. Section 22-407 punishes threats to do bodily harm with up to 6 months, a fine, or both. No demand is required.
- Threatening to kidnap or injure. Section 22-1810 punishes threatening "to kidnap any person or to injure the person of another or physically damage the property of any person" with up to 20 years, a fine, or both. No demand is required.
- Theft. The District's theft offenses are a separate scheme; see our D.C. theft laws page.
Recent changes
- 2019: D.C. Law 22-308 added the recording clause and the immigration-status clause to the blackmail statute.
- 2013: D.C. Law 19-317 converted the fines in §§ 22-3251 and 22-3252 to the amounts set in § 22-3571.01.
Federal law also reaches interstate threats and extortion; our extortion and blackmail laws by state hub covers the federal statutes.
Related pages
- Extortion and blackmail laws by state
- Sextortion scams: what to do
- District of Columbia deepfake laws
- D.C. theft laws
- Revenge porn laws by state
This article provides general legal information about District of Columbia criminal statutes as of October 17, 2026. It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in the District of Columbia.
Last updated: October 17, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is blackmail illegal in Washington, D.C.?
Yes. D.C. Code § 22-3252 makes blackmail a crime by name. Threatening to accuse someone of a crime, expose a secret, impair a reputation, distribute a damaging recording, or report immigration status, with intent to obtain property or to make someone act or refrain from acting, is punishable by up to 5 years, a fine, or both.
What is the difference between extortion and blackmail in D.C.?
Extortion (§ 22-3251) is obtaining or attempting to obtain property through wrongful force, violence or threat of economic injury, or under color of official right, and carries up to 10 years. Blackmail (§ 22-3252) covers threats to accuse, expose, embarrass, distribute recordings or report immigration status, with intent to obtain property or compel an act, and carries up to 5 years.
Is extortion a felony in D.C.?
Section 22-3251 does not use the word felony. It sets a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine under § 22-3571.01, or both, regardless of the amount. Under § 22-3601 the maximum can be up to 1 1/2 times higher when extortion accompanied by threats of violence is committed against a person 65 or older.
Is threatening to post someone's nude photos a crime in D.C.?
The District has no offense named sextortion, but § 22-3252(a)(4) makes it blackmail to threaten to distribute a photograph, video or audio recording, authentic or inauthentic, tending to injure someone's reputation, with intent to obtain property or to make the person act or refrain from acting. Blackmail carries up to 5 years. Where the person pressured is under 18, § 22-3102 separately makes inducing a minor to engage in a sexual performance a felony carrying up to 10 years for a first offense.
Is threatening to report someone to immigration blackmail in D.C.?
Section 22-3252(a)(5) lists a threat to notify a federal, state or local government agency or official of, or publicize, another person's immigration or citizenship status, when made with intent to obtain property or to cause the person to act or refrain from acting.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Code of the District of Columbia, Title 22: Criminal Offenses and Penalties. - Chapter 32: Theft; Fraud; Stolen Property; Forgery; and Extortion. - Subchapter VI: Extortion.
§ 22-3251Extortion.In force
(a) A person commits the offense of extortion if: (1) That person obtains or attempts to obtain the property of another with the other’s consent which was induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force or violence or by wrongful threat of economic injury; or (2) That person obtains or attempts to obtain property of another with the other’s consent which was obtained under color or pretense of official right. (b) Any person convicted of extortion shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at github.com
§ 22-3252Blackmail.In force
(a) A person commits the offense of blackmail when that person, with intent to obtain property of another or to cause another to do or refrain from doing any act, threatens to: (1) Accuse another person of a crime; (2) Expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject another person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, embarrassment, or other injury to reputation; (3) Impair the reputation of another person, including a deceased person; (4) Distribute a photograph, video, or audio recording, whether authentic or inauthentic, tending to subject another person to hatred, contempt, ridicule, embarrassment, or other injury to reputation; or (5) Notify a federal, state, or local government agency or official of, or publicize, another person's immigration or citizenship status. (b) Any person convicted of blackmail shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at github.com
Code of the District of Columbia, Title 22: Criminal Offenses and Penalties. - Chapter 35B: Fines for Criminal Offenses.
§ 22-3571.01Fines for criminal offenses.In forcecited in 19 of our articles
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, and except as provided in § 22-3571.02, a defendant who has been found guilty of an offense under the District of Columbia Official Code punishable by imprisonment may be sentenced to pay a fine as provided in this section. (b) An individual who has been found guilty of such an offense may be fined not more than the greatest of: (1) $100 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 10 days or less; (2) $250 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 30 days, or one month, or less but more than 10 days; (3) $500 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 90 days, or 3 months, or less but more than 30 days; (4) $1,000 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 180 days, or 6 months, or less but more than 90 days; (5) $2,500 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for one year or less but more than 180 days; (6) $12,500 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 5 years or less but more than one year; (7) $25,000 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 10 years or less but more than 5 years; (8) $37,500 if the offense is punishable by imprisonment for 15 years or less but more than…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at github.com
Cited in 5 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2025
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Gilberto Lopez-Ramirez v. United States (District of Columbia Court of Appeals 2017, 171 A.3d 169)“…dardized the maximum fine for 180-day crimes at 31,000. See D.C. Code § 22-3571.01 ibi (2012 Repi. a supp. 2014); 60 D.C.R…”
- Mario Giovani Valendzuela-Castillo v. United States (District of Columbia Court of Appeals 2018, 180 A.3d 74)“…eamlining Act set maximum fines for misdemeanors at $1000); D.C. Code § 22-3571.01 (2013 Repl.) (standardizing $1000 as th…”
- Tornero v. United States (District of Columbia Court of Appeals 2025)“…onment may be sentenced to pay a fine as provided” therein. D.C. Code § 22-3571.01(a). The provision also enumerates the s…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: District of Columbia Audio Recording Laws: Complete Legal Guide, District of Columbia Phone Call Recording Laws: Consent Rules and Interstate Calls, District of Columbia Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules
Search our full record of US law — 2.1 million sections, every state + federal →
Sources and References
- D.C. Code § 22-3252, Blackmail(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-3251, Extortion(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-3571.01, Fines for criminal offenses(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-2801, Robbery(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-407, Threats to do bodily harm(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-3052, Unlawful disclosure of sexual images(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Law 22-308, Sexual Blackmail Elimination and Immigrant Protection Amendment Act of 2018(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-1810, Threats to kidnap or injure a person or damage property(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-3102, Use of a minor in a sexual performance(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-3103, Penalties for sexual performance using minors(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- D.C. Code § 22-3601, Enhanced penalty for crimes against senior citizen victims(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
Paid attorney referral. RecordingLaw may receive compensation when you use an attorney-help link. RecordingLaw is not a law firm. Submitting a request does not guarantee that an attorney will accept your case and does not create an attorney-client relationship.