Redwood City Kidnapping Defense Attorney
Kidnapping someone is a serious crime, and a conviction can haunt you for the rest of your life. If you’ve been investigated for or charged with kidnapping, your first reaction should be to get in touch with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
At the Law Offices of M. Gabriela Guraiib, our kidnapping lawyer is prepared to thoroughly investigate your case and provide you with the best possible defense.
Contact us today at 650-227-9132 to talk to a Redwood City violent crime lawyer and learn more about how we can help.
Types of Kidnapping Crimes in California
California state law divides kidnapping into several categories depending on the circumstances of the crime. If you’ve been accused of kidnapping, you could be charged with one of the following felonies and face severe penalties:
Simple Kidnapping
This is defined as moving someone against their will using threats or force. It includes abducting someone outright or taking them somewhere other than where they agreed to go without their consent. Penalties for this charge include:
- Three to eight years in prison for abducting someone over the age of 14
- Up to 11 years in prison for abducting someone younger than 14
- Up to 12 months in county jail if probation is granted
Aggravated Kidnapping
The only difference between simple and aggravated kidnapping is the intention of the kidnapper. If you allegedly kidnapped someone during or to perform another crime, then the charge is elevated to aggravated kidnapping. For example, abducting someone during a carjacking or to commit a sexual assault would be aggravated kidnapping in addition to the other charges.
Convictions for this charge can lead to a sentence of life in prison.
Aggravated Kidnapping
While kidnapping does cover abducting young children, there is another charge specific to minors. Child abduction is defined as maliciously keeping a child from their legal guardian. This is slightly different from the other charge because it does not require the child to have been taken against their will.
Child abduction is a common charge in custody disputes. If one parent refuses to honor an existing custody agreement and refuses to deliver the child to their other guardian, they may be charged with child abduction. It can also occur if grandparents, relatives, or friends attempt to hide the child from their legal guardian for any reason.
The penalties for this charge include up to four years in prison and fines as high as $10,000.
Protect Yourself from California Kidnapping Charges
Accusations of kidnapping are extremely serious. Whether you’ve been accused of kidnapping your own child or a stranger, you need to talk to a lawyer immediately before you make any decisions or take action on your case. Our Redwood City violent crime attorney will work with you to build the best defense strategy for your situation and protect your rights every step of the way.
Call our California law office at 650-227-9132 to discuss your kidnapping charges and learn how we can help you.
