Kidnapping Charges Defense

Houston Kidnapping Attorney – Shahin Zamir

The crime of kidnapping is regarded as one of the most heinous invasions of life and liberty in modern society. The forceful abduction of an innocent person is routinely prosecuted and punished to the fullest extent allowable by law. Although Hollywood movies and television dramas portray kidnappings frequently, there is nothing glamorous about kidnapping in the real world.

Call Shahin Zamir at 713-223-8900

What is Kidnapping?

In Texas, kidnapping is the intentional seizure of a person against his or her will and then taking that person away to another location. Confining an unwilling person in a undisclosed location for illegal purposes and not allowing that person to leave is also considered an act of kidnapping. Often, kidnappers commit this crime with financial gain as a motive.

When a person kidnaps an individual and then demands money for their safe return, they are committing another illegal action known as ransom. The combination of an unlawful abduction and a demand for ransom are the two primary components of a kidnapping incident.

What Are the Legal Penalties for Kidnapping?

Kidnapping is a serious offense, and the punishments for this crime are harsh. Nearly every person charged with committing an act of kidnapping is prosecuted for a third-degree felony. This means that the legal punishments can last for the duration of the convicted person’s life. Some penalties include:

• Incarceration: A person convicted of kidnapping will almost always be sentenced to a term of confinement in a federal prison or state jail facility. A typical sentence can be up to 10 years in confinement, but some circumstances can increase this term. For instance, aggravated kidnapping that involves abducting a victim with the use of a deadly weapon can add many years to a prison sentence.
• Permanent felony record: A person convicted of kidnapping will continue to face severe consequences long after they are paroled from prison. They will be unable to be present in certain areas, such as school zones or churches, and they will face extreme difficulty in finding a job. They will undergo a great degree of scrutiny from law enforcement and their parole officer, and if they commit even a minor crime, they could find themselves facing another prison term.

Defending Against Kidnapping Accusations

A kidnapping charges lawyer can use several methods to fight a kidnapping charge. Because the prosecution must prove every element of the crime beyond the shadow of a doubt, a kidnapping defense attorney has multiple opportunities to fight the charge. A kidnapping attorney can attempt to show that the alleged victim was consenting or that ransom was never demanded. Proving these claims can disrupt the chain of evidence and dismantle the prosecution’s case.

Speak to a Houston Kidnapping Charges Lawyer

To learn more about kidnapping and its legal penalties or possible defenses, talk to Houston attorney Shahin Zamir at 713-223-8900.