Experienced Defense Attorneys For Baton Rouge Kidnapping Charges
Kidnapping can happen in different ways but essentially involves forcibly seizing another person and limiting their freedom of movement. It sometimes happens to children, but adults can also be kidnapped or abducted. Kidnapping can involve enticing another, persuading them, imprisoning them, or using physical violence or threats of violence.
The attorneys at Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offer over 80 years of criminal defense, including kidnapping experience. If you want a lawyer with trial experience and legal know-how, you have come to the right firm. We bring professionalism and commitment to every case, helping the accused focus on their defense and future. We also offer free initial consultations, meaning you can speak to us about your circumstances without financial risk.
The Major Classes For Kidnapping
In Louisiana, kidnapping is a serious crime with severe penalties. The state classifies kidnapping into three main categories: aggravated kidnapping, second-degree kidnapping and simple kidnapping. Each category has distinct elements and consequences, reflecting the severity of the offense.
- Aggravated kidnapping: This involves forcibly seizing and carrying a person from one place to another with the intent to extort something of value or secure an advantage.
- Second-degree kidnapping: This occurs when the victim is used as a shield or hostage, to facilitate a felony, or is physically injured or sexually abused. It also includes cases where the victim is imprisoned for 72 hours or more, or when the offender is armed.
- Simple kidnapping: This involves the intentional and forcible seizing and carrying of a person without their consent. It also includes taking a child under 14 years without parental consent or removing a person from an institution without proper authority.
- Aggravated kidnapping of a child: When a minor is involved, the punishments can be very severe. Defendants are sometimes sentenced to life in prison if a child was enticed, manipulated or forcibly taken.
Understanding these classifications is crucial for both legal professionals and the general public. It highlights the importance of recognizing the severity of kidnapping offenses and the legal repercussions that follow. By being informed, individuals can better navigate the legal system and advocate for justice.
The specific charge you are facing may affect your defense options, and it can certainly have a big impact on the potential sentence.
Kidnapping Penalties In Louisiana
As noted, you could face a life sentence for certain kidnapping charges. If the victim is a minor, then the court has a mandatory minimum sentence they must administer, meaning a conviction will result in at least 20 years behind bars.
It is also worth noting that kidnapping offenses that cross state lines fall under federal jurisdiction. If you are accused of kidnapping a person in Louisiana and taking them to Texas, for example, you could face both state-level and federal-level charges.
Simple kidnapping convictions pose the most lenient sentences but may still mean paying $5,000 in fines and spending up to five years in jail. The potential sentences typically escalate from there, depending on the various factors discussed above – the presence of a weapon, the age of the victim, if any abuse occurred, etc.
Explore Your Defense Options
If you are facing kidnapping charges, a conviction could change the course of your entire life. You must focus on your freedom and your defense options. Call our lawyers at 225-377-4964 in Baton Rouge or use the online contact form to set up a free consultation today.