Penal Code section 519

Fear, such as will constitute extortion, may be induced by a threat of any of the following:
1.To do an unlawful injury to the person or property of the individual threatened or of a third person.
2.To accuse the individual threatened, or a relative of his or her, or a member of his or her family, of a crime.
3.To expose, or to impute to him, her, or them a deformity, disgrace, or crime.
4.To expose a secret affecting him, her, or them.
5.To report his, her, or their immigration status or suspected immigration status.

Source: Section 519, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=519.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2015; accessed Oct. 20, 2025).

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Verified:
Oct. 20, 2025

§ 519's source at ca​.gov