When does the leverage used to get you to sign something become illegal?

Question

US Laws pertaining to this needed

Thanks to those "in the know" for helping me research this issue.

Answer 1

When the threat used is to do something illegal.



"If you don't sign this revised lease now, I will evict you today, right in the middle of your current lease." is an illegal threat, so using it to get you to sign a new lease is legal.

"If you don't sign this revised lease now I will evict you as soon as your lease expires." is a legal 'threat' because he has a right to evict you when your lease exires.

The exception to this is under the blackmail or extortion laws. "Sign your house over to me or I'll tell the police you are molesting your daughter" is an illegal threat even if you ARE molesting your daughter, because even though it's certainly not illegal to report the molestation, it's illegal to use a threat that you will do so to extort money.

Richard

Answer 2

If the threat is physical abuse - illegal

If the threat is to expose private information - illegal

If the threat is to destroy property - illegal