Blackmail and Coercion Defense in Georgia | Legal.ge

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Is threatening to expose someone considered blackmail in Georgia?

Yes, threatening to release compromising information (even if true) to force someone to do something is considered "Coercion" under Article 150 and is a criminal offense.

What is the difference between coercion and extortion?

Coercion forces someone to do any act. Extortion (Article 181) specifically forces someone to give up money or property. Extortion carries harsher penalties.

Can I go to prison for sending threatening texts?

Yes, digital threats are taken seriously. Depending on the content and intent, it can lead to fines, community service, or imprisonment.

How can a lawyer help if there is proof of my messages?

A lawyer can argue about the intent, context, and legality of the demand. They can also negotiate plea deals to avoid prison time or reclassify the charge to a lesser offense.

Blackmail and Coercion: Criminal Defense Services

Coercion, often referred to in everyday language as blackmail, is a crime against a person''s freedom of will. In Georgia, this act is strictly punished and involves forcing a person to perform or refrain from performing an action through violence, threats, or other illegal methods. Accusations can arise in various contexts: from business disputes to personal relationships. Often, parties do not realize that a demand they consider "fair" (for example, demanding repayment of a debt), if accompanied by threats or promises to release compromising material, qualifies as a criminal offense. A blackmail charge carries serious reputational and legal risks, so ignoring it is impermissible.

These types of cases are characterized by specific evidence: correspondence in social networks, audio recordings, screenshots, and witness testimonies. The defense''s task is to prove that the accused''s action did not contain a real threat or that the threat was not illegal. The involvement of a qualified lawyer is necessary to distinguish a lawful demand (e.g., warning of a lawsuit) from criminal coercion.

What Does Service for Coercion and Blackmail Cases Cover?

Lawyers registered on the Legal.ge platform offer a full defense package during coercion (Article 150) and blackmail accusations:

Analysis of Electronic Evidence: The lawyer details SMS correspondence, emails, and social media messages. Context is often decisive—a single phrase can be understood in different ways.
Verification of Qualification: Coercion is often confused with Extortion (Article 181). Extortion is a more serious crime. The lawyer''s goal is to prove there was no aim to obtain material benefit, which mitigates the situation.
Developing an Alternative Version: Building a defense strategy on the fact that the "threat" was actually a warning about exercising a legal right (e.g., "If you don''t pay, I will sue you" is not blackmail).
Checking Victim Credibility: Often, the "victim" provokes or incorrectly interprets events. The lawyer works to reveal these circumstances.
Negotiating a Plea Agreement: If the evidence is strong, the lawyer negotiates with the prosecutor''s office to reduce the sentence to a minimum.

Common Situations and Real-World Scenarios

Accusations of coercion and blackmail can be brought against a person in the following situations:

Threat to Release Private Photos/Info: After a relationship ends, one partner threatens the other with releasing intimate photos if they do not return or perform some action.
Debt Collection Demand: A creditor threatens a debtor with informing family members or damaging their reputation at work if the debt is not returned. This can be qualified as coercion.
Forcing Signature on Documents: Business partners or family members force a person to sign a property transfer or other contract through threats.
Workplace Blackmail: An employee threatens an employer with releasing compromising information in exchange for a promotion or salary raise (or vice versa).

Georgian Legislation and Legal Framework

Coercion is regulated by Article 150 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. This article defines coercion as restricting a person''s freedom of action, i.e., physically or psychologically forcing them to perform or refrain from an action which is their right to perform or abstain from. Coercion is punishable by a fine, corrective labor, or imprisonment.

Also important is Article 181 — Extortion. If coercion is directed towards obtaining property benefit (e.g., demanding money in exchange for not releasing compromising material), it is extortion, which is punished more severely. For similar acts committed in cyberspace (cyber-blackmail), the Law on Information Security and relevant Criminal Code articles may also be applied. The lawyer precisely determines which norm corresponds to the factual circumstances.

Process: What to Expect When Working with a Specialist

Working on a coercion case begins with securing evidence (digital and material). The lawyer will request that you do not delete any correspondence, as it is the main weapon of defense. During the investigation stage, the lawyer attends interrogations and ensures the accused does not give self-incriminating testimony. Computer or phonoscopic expertise is often appointed to establish the authenticity of recordings. In court, the defense tries to prove that the threat was not real or the act did not contain signs of a crime. If the case involves private life information, the lawyer requests closed court hearings to protect confidentiality.

Why Choose Legal.ge?

Coercion and blackmail cases require a delicate approach and high professionalism. Legal.ge gives you access to lawyers who have experience handling such sensitive cases. Specialists selected through our platform ensure your complete confidentiality and effective defense. Do not leave your reputation and freedom to fate—find a trusted defender on Legal.ge.