Kidnapping

Kidnapping is a very serious criminal offense and occurs when an individual detains, holds, or takes another individual using fear or force, moving that individual to another location against that person's will. If you or a loved one have been accused of or arrested for kidnapping, we urge you to obtain the legal support and guidance of an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately. At The Justice Firm, we fight vigorously to defend those charged with kidnapping, putting all of our experience, skill, and knowledge to work in order to obtain unsurpassed results.

In California, kidnapping is considered a "strike." Under the state's Three Strikes law, a person with a prior criminal record may be sentenced to life in prison for offenses which are considered strikes. In order to protect your freedom and future, it is vital you contact a capable Los Angeles kidnapping defense lawyer at once.

There are various kidnapping offenses in the state dictated by Penal Code Sections 207, 208, 209, 209.5, and 278. These include:

• Aggravated kidnapping. A felony offense, aggravated kidnapping occurs when an individual is taken for ransom, extortion, a reward of some type, or in order to commit a robbery or sex offense.
• Kidnapping during a carjacking.
• Parental kidnapping. A non-custodial parent who takes, entices, withholds, maliciously keeps, or conceals a child with the intent to keep the child or conceal his whereabouts from the child's custodial parent may be charged with parental kidnapping. This offense may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony.
• Simple kidnapping. Also a felony offense, simple kidnapping is the act of detaining, taking, holding, or stealing an individual while forcibly instilling fear and transporting that person to another county, state, country, or other area in the same county.

As mentioned earlier, the criminal penalties for kidnapping in California are extremely harsh, and may include prison time, a criminal record, and more. The penalties you face will depend on a number of factors including the offense you are convicted of, previous criminal record, etc.

A conviction for simple kidnapping will result in a prison term of three, five, or eight years. However, if the victim is under age 14, you may be sentenced to five, eight, or eleven years in state prison.

A parental kidnapping conviction will leave you facing up to one year in prison if charged as a misdemeanor. If charged as a felony offense, a conviction may result in a prison sentence of two to five years.

Aggravated kidnapping or kidnapping during a carjacking may result in a life prison term. With aggravated kidnapping, parole is not a possibility if the victim is harmed or killed.

As you can see, the criminal penalties for kidnapping are extremely serious. As trusted Los Angeles kidnapping defense attorneys, our top priority is to protect our clients from a conviction and the harsh consequences. It may also be possible to have the charges dismissed or reduced, depending on the facts of your case.

Kidnapping is one of the most serious offenses under California law, leaving those convicted facing life-changing consequences and loss of their freedom. Taking action early on can often change the outcome; it is particularly important to speak with a compassionate Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer who will give your case the personal attention and dedicated approach you deserve. Contact us now at 310-914-2444.