§ 3–709
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 3-709 (2026)
Title 3. Other Crimes Against the Person
Subtitle 7. Extortion and Other Threats
§ 3–709LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)
“Intimate parts” has the meaning stated in § 3–809 of this title.
(3)
“Sexual activity” has the meaning stated in § 3–809 of this title.
(b)
A person may not cause another to:
(1)
engage in an act of sexual activity by threatening to:
(i)
accuse any person of a crime or of anything that, if true, would bring the person into contempt or disrepute;
(ii)
cause physical injury to a person;
(iii)
inflict emotional distress on a person;
(iv)
cause economic damage to a person; or
(v)
cause damage to the property of a person; or
(2)
engage as a subject in the production of a visual representation or performance that depicts the other with the other’s intimate parts exposed or engaging in or simulating an act of sexual activity by threatening to:
(i)
accuse any person of a crime or of anything that, if true, would bring the person into contempt or disrepute;
(ii)
cause physical injury to a person;
(iii)
inflict emotional distress on a person;
(iv)
cause economic damage to a person; or
(v)
cause damage to the property of a person.
(c)
A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.
(d)
A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.
(e)
A visual representation depicting a victim that is part of a court record for a case arising from a prosecution under this section:
(1)
subject to item (2) of this subsection, may not be made available for public inspection; and
(2)
except as otherwise ordered by the court, may only be made available for inspection in relation to a criminal charge under this section to:
(i)
court personnel;
(ii)
a jury in a criminal case brought under this section;
(iii)
the State’s Attorney or the State’s Attorney’s designee;
(iv)
the Attorney General or the Attorney General’s designee;
(v)
a law enforcement officer;
(vi)
the defendant or the defendant’s attorney; or
(vii)
the victim or the victim’s attorney.