ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session
	Senate: APPROP DPA/SE 9-0-1-0 | 3^rd Read: 26-2-2-0 House: JUD DP 6-4-0-0

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SB 1001: extortion; social media; messages

Sponsor: Senator Leach, LD 11

House Engrossed

Overview

Modifies the definition of theft by extortion to include a threat to expose a secret via social media message if the threat was made with the intent to gain property or services.

History

The crime of theft by extortion occurs when a person knowingly seeks to gain property or services by threatening to:

1) Cause physical injury to a person with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument;

2) Cause death or serious injury to a person;

3) Cause physical injury by means other than a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument;

4) Cause damage to property;

5) Engage in other conduct constituting an offense;

6) Accuse a person of a crime or bring criminal charges;

7) Expose a secret, regardless of its truth, which could subject a person to hatred, contempt or ridicule or impair the person's credit or business;

8) Take or withhold action as a public servant or cause a public servant to take or withhold action;

9) Cause someone to part with property; or

10) Take or withhold action in specified property disputes.

Theft by extortion is a class 4 felony unless the threat is made to cause physical injury involving a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or to cause serious physical injury or death, in which case the crime constitutes a class 2 felony (A.R.S. § 13-1804).

Provisions

1. Classifies a threat to expose a secret or asserted fact in a social media message, unless the threat is based on a plausible claim of right to the property or services obtained or sought to be obtained, as theft by extortion. (Sec. 1)

2. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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6.                   SB 1001

7. Initials LC/JH        Page 0 House Engrossed

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