2012 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses
Chapter 17 - OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC POLICY
Section 16-17-640 - Blackmail.

Any person who verbally or by printing or writing or by electronic communications:

(1) accuses another of a crime or offense;

(2) exposes or publishes any of another's personal or business acts, infirmities, or failings; or

(3) compels any person to do any act, or to refrain from doing any lawful act, against his will;

with intent to extort money or any other thing of value from any person, or attempts or threatens to do any of such acts, with the intent to extort money or any other thing of value, shall be guilty of blackmail and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not more than ten years, or both, in the discretion of the court.

HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 16-566.1; 1957 (50) 191; 2001 Act No. 81, Section 15.