Kidnap and False Imprisonment Defence Lawyers

If you have been accused of kidnap, it is vital that you seek the help of an experienced criminal defence solicitor as soon as possible. Those who commit kidnap are usually guilty of false imprisonment too. Whilst technically different, both offences involve the removal or restriction of another person’s freedom.

Crimes of this nature are treated incredibly seriously by the Court and carry a substantial sentence of imprisonment. When you instruct Clifford Johnston & Co to represent you, you can be confident that we will work tirelessly on your case with the aim of having the charges dropped, being acquitted at trial or facilitating a lighter sentence than you may otherwise have received.

Our expert team of criminal law solicitors have the knowledge, experience and tenacity to ensure the outcome of your case is as good as it can possibly be.  To find out more about how we can help you if you are facing charges for kidnapping or false imprisonment, please contact us.

What is Kidnapping?

Kidnapping is the act of taking another person from one location to another without their consent and without good legal reason to do so. A kidnapper may use force or fraud to take a person away against their will, and they will often have a particular reason for kidnapping the individual.

Some of the reasons that lead a person to kidnap include:

• Seeking the receipt of ransom money.
• For sexual reasons.
• Terrorising or torturing the victim.
• Interfering with a governmental or political function.
• Subjecting the victim to some form of servitude.

What is False Imprisonment?

False imprisonment is different to kidnap and involves the unlawful detention of the victim and does not involve the carrying away of the victim.

False imprisonment often arises in a domestic setting, for example an allegation of a person locking their partner in a property.  This offence will often be charged alongside kidnap and other assault offences.

False imprisonment is the act of unlawfully limiting the freedom of an individual by forcing them to remain at a location against their will. Some examples of false imprisonment include:

• Keeping an individual in a locked room against their will, even if the room is within their own house.
• Locking a person inside a house, including their own, and removing any means of them escaping.
• A security guard detaining a person who is suspected of theft and holding them for an unreasonable amount of time.
• An employer detaining an employee in the workplace for an unreasonable amount of time in order to question them about a suspected crime.

If you have been accused of false imprisonment, it is imperative that you instruct an experienced criminal solicitor as soon as possible. Whether you have been falsely accused or are guilty of false imprisonment, our expert team can help.

What are the sentencing guidelines for Kidnapping and False Imprisonment?

Kidnap and false imprisonment are common law offences which can only be tried in the Crown Court. Inevitability, the sentence for these types of offences will depend on the aggravating and mitigating factors.  Aggravated factors may include:

• The degree of planning involved
• The vulnerability of the victim(s)
• The existence of a ransom demand
• The number of offenders involved
• The culpability of the offender
• The use of a weapon
• The use of violence
• The mental, physical and emotional impact on the victim

Both kidnap and false imprisonment are very serious offences which can carry substantial prison sentences. The maximum sentence for both is life imprisonment albeit that is rarely imposed.

What line of defence is possible in a Kidnapping offence?

When putting together your defence, we will gather all available evidence in order to determine the best line of defence. Some of the most common defence strategies in a kidnap and/or false imprisonment case include:

• The alleged victim consented to be taken away.
• You were forced to commit the offence under duress.
• You did not commit the offence in question.
• Mistaken identity.

This list is not exhaustive.  We will do our very best to ensure that we adopt the most appropriate line of defence to ensure the most favourable outcome for you. To find out more about how we can help you to navigate your arrest and/or trial for kidnapping or false imprisonment, please do not hesitate to contact one of our expert criminal defence lawyers.

Contact our Lawyers for Kidnapping & False Imprisonment today

We are proud to offer expert criminal law services nationally which is affordable and cost-effective.

By choosing to work with us, you will have an exceptional team fighting your corner.

Talk to Clifford Johnston & Co. today.