Top Media, PA Kidnapping Lawyers Near You
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Constitution Place, 325 Chestnut St., Suite 910, Philadelphia, PA 19106
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Applebaum & Associates has experience helping clients with their Kidnapping needs in Media, Pennsylvania.
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1489 Baltimore Pike, Suite 221, Springfield, PA 19064
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Ciccarelli Law Offices has experience helping clients with their Kidnapping needs in Media, Pennsylvania.
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111 N. Olive Street, Media, PA 19063
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Bellwoar Kelly, LLP has experience helping clients with their Kidnapping needs in Media, Pennsylvania.
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1219 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Get assistance for your Kidnapping issue in the Media, Pennsylvania area. van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim can help.
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3245 Ridge Pike, Norristown, PA 19403
Conway Schadler, LLC, a reputable Kidnapping firm representing clients in the Media, Pennsylvania area.
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215 North Olive Street, Suite 201, Media, PA 19063
Get assistance for your Kidnapping issue in the Media, Pennsylvania area. Nistico & Roberts can help.
1315 Walnut Street, 12th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
100 South Broad Street, Suite 1910, Philadelphia, PA 19110
600 West Germantown Pike, Suite 400, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
1 E Airy St, Norristown, PA 19401
1500 Walnut St, Suite 1510, Philadelphia, PA 19102
112 W. Front Street, Media, PA 19063
2005 Market St, 29th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
882 S Matlack St, Suite 110, West Chester, PA 19382
1760 Market Street, Suite 600, Philadelphia, PA 19103
334 W Front St, Media, PA 19063
620 Freedom Business Center Dr, Suite 405, King of Prussia, PA 19406
1700 Market Street, Suite 1418, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3907
620 Sentry Pkwy, Suite 210, Blue Bell, PA 19422
25 S. Church Street, West Chester, PA 19382
21 West Third Street, Media, PA 19063
1515 Market Street, Suite 1200, Philadelphia, PA 19102
1500 JFK Blvd., 2 Penn Center Suite 1240, Philadelphia, PA 19102
One Logan Square, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19103-6996
1901 Callowhill St, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Media 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 Pennsylvania. 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.