Washington Kidnapping Attorney
Have you been charged with Kidnapping? Do not face this charge alone! Let WEBER LAW help you today.
The first thought that most people have when kidnapping comes to mind is a stranger in a van stealing a child from the street, but that is not necessarily always the case. It is important to know your rights and have someone who knows the law on your side. In Washington, being found guilty of kidnapping can come with serious consequences. There are different aspects to the crime of kidnapping, all of which come with serious penalties. A charge of kidnapping can have detrimental effects on your record that can follow you for life. Do not face these charges alone. Do not face the court room alone. Let Weber Law help you today!
Washington Kidnapping Charges and Penalties
What is Kidnapping?
In Washington, there are different aspects to describe what kidnapping is, which include:
(a) Kidnapping in the first degree.
A person is guilty of kidnapping in the first degree if he or she intentionally abducts another person with the intent to hold the victim for ransom or reward, shield, or hostage; to facilitate commission of any felony or flight after; or to inflict bodily injury, inflict mental distress, or interfere with the performance of any governmental function.
(b) Kidnapping in the second degree.
A person is guilty of kidnapping in the second degree if he or she intentionally abducts another person under circumstances not amounting to kidnapping in the first degree.
(c) Unlawful imprisonment.
A person is guilty of unlawful imprisonment if he or she knowingly restrains another person.
(d) Custodial interference in the first degree.
A relative or parent of a child under the age of eighteen or of an incompetent person is guilty of custodial interference in the first degree if, with the intent to deny access to the child or incompetent person by a parent, guardian, institution, agency, or other person having a lawful right to physical custody of such person, the relative takes, entices, retains, detains, or conceals the child or incompetent person from a parent, guardian, institution, agency, or other person having a lawful right to physical custody of such a person and intends to hold the child or incompetent person permanently or for a protracted period; exposes the child or incompetent person to a substantial risk of illness or physical injury; causes the child or the incompetent person to be removed from the state of usual residence; or retains, detains, or conceals the child or incompetent person in another state after expiration of any authorized visitation period.
(e) Custodial interference in the first degree.
A relative or parent of a child is guilty of custodial interference in the second degree if the parent or guardian takes, entices, retains, detains, or conceals the child, with the intent to deny access from the other parent having the lawful right to time with the child pursuant to court order; or if the court finds that the parent has engaged in a pattern of willful violations of a court order making residential provisions for the child.
What is the Punishment?
There are different punishments depending on the circumstances around the charge of kidnapping.
Kidnapping in the first degree is a class A felony.
Kidnapping in the second degree is a class B felony but is charged as a class A felony if the kidnapping had sexual motivation.
Unlawful imprisonment is a class C felony.
Custodial interference in the first degree is a class C felony.
Custodial interference in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor if it is the first time, or a class C felony if it is the second or subsequent time.
A class A felony is punishable by life imprisonment, a fine of $50,000.00, or both.
A class B felony is punishable by imprisonment for up to ten years, a fine of $20,000.00, or both.
A class C felony is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of $10,000.00, or both.
A gross misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days, a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.
Even as a Defendant of a Crime, you still have Rights! Make sure yours were not violated!
Even as an individual facing criminal charges, you have rights. It is important to know those rights and make sure that they were not violated in any way when you were arrested or charged. Without extensive knowledge of your rights when it comes to police searches, Miranda rights, and your rights when it comes to arrest, it is extremely difficult to get a dismissal or reduction of your charges. Do not try and fight these charges on your own, Weber Law is ready to help you today.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on a kidnapping charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Seattle and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
How can WEBER LAW help you?
It can be scary and nerve wracking to have criminal charges on your record, but it has an added severity when years in prison is the potential sentence. The court system can be intimidating, and without good legal help, the consequences can be devastating. Our experienced team is comfortable looking at evidence, negotiating potential plea agreements, and defending you in court. There are ways to fight the charge of kidnapping. Additionally, Weber Law will look at all the evidence available to the different aspects of the crime you could have been charged with, including but not limited to, speaking to potential witnesses and the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping. Weber Law will work to lower your charge or sentence. We will fight for you to keep your record clean. Kidnapping, no matter the circumstances, is not a charge that you want to fight alone. Let our team of experienced attorneys help you navigate the criminal justice system. If you or someone you know has been charged with kidnapping in the State of Washington, contact Weber Law for a consultation today.
WA ST § 9A.40.020, Kidnapping in the first degree
WA ST § 9A.40.030, Kidnapping in the second degree
WA ST § 9A.40.040, Unlawful imprisonment
WA ST § 9A.40.060, Custodial interference in the First degree
WA ST § 9A.40.070, Custodial interference in the second degree.
WA ST § 9A.20.021, Maximum sentences for crimes committed July 1, 1984, and after
A Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
Office Address:
810 3rd Avenue Suite 120, Seattle, WA 98104