Top Lees Summit, MO Kidnapping Lawyers Near You
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A Criminal Law firm Representing Clients in the Kansas City Area.
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Experienced Missouri Criminal Law Lawyer
7924 North Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64118
If you need Kidnapping help in Missouri, contact Law Office of F. A. White, Jr, a local practice in Lees Summit, for legal representation.
3770 Broadway Blvd, Suite 111, Kansas City, MO 64111
Practical Kidnapping legal help. Representing Lees Summit, Missouri clients.
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4801 Main Street, Suite 1000, Kansas City, MO 64112
2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 1500, Kansas City, MO 64108
1609 W. 92nd Street, Kansas City, MO 64114
2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 2200, Kansas City, MO 64108
4600 Madison Ave, Suite 1000, Kansas City, MO 64112
4900 Main St, Suite 150, Kansas City, MO 64112
14801 E. 42nd Street South, Suite 1500, Independence, MO 64050
1005 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
1609 W 92 St, Kansas City, MO 64114
7501 Tiffany Springs Pkwy, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64153
5555 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154
1803 Trail Ridge Dr, Pleasant Hill, MO 64080
10450 Holmes Rd, Suite 110, Kansas City, MO 64131
1114 W. Main Street, Suite 225, Blue Springs, MO 64015
1201 Walnut Street, Suite 435, Kansas City, MO 64106
511 Delaware St, Kansas City, MO 64105
606 W. 39th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111
117 West 20th Street, Suite 201, Kansas City, MO 64108
1222 McGee Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
1100 Main St, Ste 2001, Kansas City, MO 64105
1117 South Broadway Street, PO Box 110, Oak Grove, MO 64075
9 South 11th Street, PO Box 280, Lexington, MO 64067
2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 1925, Kansas City, MO 64108
Lees Summit Kidnapping Information
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What Qualifies as Kidnapping?
Kidnapping involves taking someone and moving them against their will. If someone is locked in a room against their will, it may be considered false imprisonment instead of kidnapping. However, when the alleged victim is moved to another location, it becomes the crime of kidnapping.
Force in kidnapping can include physical force. However, kidnapping can also be committed through intimidation, threats of violence to the victim or the victim’s family, blackmail, or drugging the victim. Movement can include taking someone to another building, vehicle, another state, or another country.
What Is Parental Kidnapping?
Some kidnapping is done for a ransom, to commit sexual assault, or for other criminal purposes. However, most cases of kidnapping involve family members. According to the Department of Justice, over 200,000 children are abducted by a family member every year. Most kidnappings involve the child’s parent or legal guardian. About half of family kidnapping is done by the biological father and about 25% by the child’s biological mother. Many child custody abductions are not reported as a missing child because their caretakers knew the child’s whereabouts.
When a child I wrongfully removed from the United States or retained outside the U.S., in violation of parental rights, it can be considered international parental kidnapping, which is a federal offense. Under the U.S. Code, parental kidnapping is a federal crime punishable by up to 3 years in prison. However, there may be legal defenses available if the parent was trying to get away from domestic violence.
What Is the Maximum Sentence for Kidnapping?
Kidnapping is generally a felony offense. As a felony, kidnapping is punishable by more than a year of jail time. Penalties may also include fines, probation, and orders of protection against contacting the kidnapping victim.
When sentencing a defendant for a kidnapping conviction, a judge may have sentencing guidelines to determine the specific criminal penalties. Sentencing guidelines can take into account aggravating factors. Depending on the individual circumstances, aggravated kidnapping may involve:
- Kidnapping for ransom
- Kidnapping during a carjacking
- Kidnapping a child
- Kidnapping for sexual assault or molestation
- Using the victim as a shield or hostage
- Inflicting bodily injury
The maximum penalties for aggravated kidnapping can include life imprisonment. In some states, aggravated kidnapping or kidnapping that results in death can be a capital offense.
Can Kidnapping Charges Be Dropped?
Kidnapping charges can be dropped by the prosecutor if they do not have enough evidence or if new information shows the defendant was not guilty of a crime. However, a prosecutor can still go through with pressing criminal charges even if the victim does not want to press charges. The victim’s assistance is generally useful in the prosecution of kidnapping charges but is not necessary. If the prosecutor thinks there is enough evidence to get a guilty verdict, they can prosecute the case no matter what the alleged victim wants.
How a Kidnapping Attorney Can Help?
There are legal defenses available to federal kidnapping charges or parental kidnapping allegations in Missouri. A local criminal defense attorney can evaluate your case, explain your rights, and explore legal defense options. Legal defenses to felony kidnapping charges include:
- Mistaken identity
- False accusations
- Unlawful search and seizure
- The alleged victim gave consent
False accusations are not uncommon in parental kidnapping. A parent or family member in a custody dispute may make up false allegations against the other parent out of revenge. Even without proof that you committed a crime, you can end up under arrest under suspicion of committing kidnapping.
In some cases, the alleged victim willingly goes with the alleged kidnapper and changes their story after the fact. If the person consented to going with the defendant, the defendant should not be convicted of a crime. However, some alleged victims may be unable to give legal consent, including a minor child or people with limited mental ability.
It may be an affirmative defense to kidnapping where the accused took their child or someone else based on an imminent threat of violence or abuse. For example, a non-custodial parent taking their child from an abusive parent could be a defense against kidnapping charges. Talk to a kidnapping defense lawyer about the best defense strategies in your case.
A felony kidnapping charge can result in a felony criminal record, life in prison, and damage to your reputation. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can fight the criminal charges to help you avoid a criminal record. Your kidnapping lawyer may also be able to negotiate a plea bargain, reduce the charges, drop other related charges, or reduce the prison sentence.