The U.S law defines kidnapping as taking someone to another place against their own will. It also includes taking them to a confined place where their environment is controlled by others. In some cases, kidnapping offenses are made to assist in other crimes like extortion.
According to federal laws, kidnapping is a very serious felony, and could lead to a prison sentence of 20 years or more, depending on the circumstances. Non-custodial parents who are involved in kidnapping their own child often get lesser sentences as the court deals with them according to different laws. Kidnapping your own child could lead to three years in federal prison. States also have their own statutes to deal with kidnappings. Federal laws come into place when the kidnapper takes the victim across state lines. The federal and state government co-operate in these cases to prosecute the offender.
Being charged with kidnapping can be complicated and might lead to severe consequences if you are convicted. Defense attorneys use a number of different defense strategies to protect their clients. Most attorneys try to establish that the victim made the decision to accompany the defendant on their own, and were not forced into it. Attorneys may also use the fact that the defendant did not know about the fact that there actions would be considered a kidnapping offense. In other cases, defense attorneys try to get the sentence reduced by arguing that the victim was a relative of the defendant, or that the defendant has a mental disorder.
If you have been charged with kidnapping, it is advisable to contact an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible. The attorney will go through the facts of your case and use one of the defense strategies mentioned above to fight the charges against you.