Maryland Criminal Law Section 3-701

      (a)      This section does not apply to legitimate efforts by employees or their representatives to obtain certain wages, hours, or working conditions.

      (b)      A person may not obtain or attempt to obtain money, property, or anything of value from another person with the person's consent, if the consent is induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force or violence, or by wrongful threat of economic injury.

      (c)      If the value of the property is $500 or more, a person who violates this section is guilty of the felony of extortion and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both.

      (d)      If the value of the property is less than $500, a person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of extortion and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

      (e)      A prosecution for a felony under this section shall be instituted within 5 years after the crime was committed.