I am located in Ohio.
Someone offered me money for helping him cheat on his exam in school. I accepted his offer and helped him, but now I think he's refusing to pay. I considered threatening to tell his instructor that he cheated if he doesn't pay (yes I know it sounds wrong, but the guy is refusing to pay). I know that's probably blackmail, but I want to know if it's still legally blackmail if I officially retract my demand for the money and just tell him that I am going to tell his instructor no matter what.
Of course I would still want him to pay, but is there any way I could get in legal trouble if I tell him that I no longer want the money? Again, sorry if this sounds wrong or inappropriate, I just want the money he owes me.
Here is the legal definition of blackmail, from
Black's Law Dictionary: Unlawful demand of money or property under threat to do bodily harm, to injure property, to accuse of a crime, or to expose disgraceful defects. This crime is commonly included under extortion or criminal coercion statutes. See Model Penal Code §212.5.
Here is a link to Ohio's extortion statute:
http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2905.11
Is it "unlawful" for you to demand money you are legitimately owed? No. Is it "unlawful" to expose or threaten to expose the known illegal or unethical acts of others? No.
But you agreed to commit an unethical (possibly illegal) act in exchange for money. What the consequences will be for either of you is something I can't tell you. It depends in large part on the exam in question and how you helped your friend cheat (e.g., did you steal a copy of the exam? did you sit in on the exam for him?).
Here is a link to information about complicity or accomplice liability:
http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/what-is-complicity-or-accomplice-liability.html
You deal with cheaters, you are bound to be cheated. What you do at this point is entirely up to you. I think you lose no matter what you decide to do - and I suppose that is some form of justice right there.