Orlando Kidnapping Defense Attorneys
Aggressive Legal Representation When It Matters Most
In the State of Florida Kidnapping Charges Carry Harsh Penalties That Can Be Difficult to Navigate
It would be almost impossible to efficiently fight a kidnapping charge without having a proper criminal defense attorney to provide you with legal representation. Kidnapping happens in various forms, some that you may not even be aware that are actually considered to be kidnapping.
Elements of Kidnapping Under Florida Law
Based on Florida Statute 787.01, kidnapping means forcibly, secretly, or by threat confining, abducting, or imprisoning another person
against his or her will and without lawful authority, with the intent to:
1
Hold for ransom or reward as a hostage
2
Commit or carryout the commission of any form of a felony
3
Inflict bodily harm or terrorize another person
4 years
prison sentence
Life
of life in prison
$10,000
fined up to $10,000
Penalties for Kidnapping in Florida
You can also be fined up to $10,000. If the kidnapping is done to a child under the age of 13
then the penalties can be more severe depending on the unique circumstances of the case.
Defenses for Kidnapping
Consent
If the victim voluntarily agreed or consented to go with the defendant then your criminal defense attorney can argue that there was consent. Hence making it impossible for there to have been a kidnapping.
Absence of Intent
Intent is necessary for a crime of kidnapping to have occurred. Your attorney can possibly argue that the defendant lacked intent. If it can be proven that the intent element was missing, then the charge can possibly be lowered to a charge of false imprisonment instead. This can lead to lesser or lower penalties.
Mistaken Identity
It could be argued that the victim mistook your identity for the perpetrator. If your attorney can provide additional evidence and a strong alibi that it was not you that kidnapped the victim, then you may possibly be able to be vindicated of the charge.