Kidnapping is a serious offense. If convicted of kidnapping an individual faces serious prison time. In certain circumstances kidnapping is a Class C felony, carrying with it a maximum penalty of 40 years prison, $100,000.00 in fines, or both. In slightly different circumstances kidnapping is a Class B felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. Felonies are serious, especially high-level felonies. Contact Meyer Van Severen, S.C. and our criminal defense attorneys to begin preparing your best criminal defense. Defense lawyers Matt Meyer and Ben Van Severen are top criminal defense attorneys who want to discuss your criminal case.
We all know what kidnapping is, but it has a specific legal definition. Section 940.31 of the Wisconsin Statutes prohibits kidnapping.
Kidnapping is a Class C felony if any of the following occur:
By force or threat of imminent force carries another from one place to another without his or her consent and with intent to cause him or her to be secretly confined or imprisoned or to be carried out of this state or to be held to service against his or her will; or
By force or threat of imminent force seizes or confines another without his or her consent and with intent to cause him or her to be secretly confined or imprisoned or to be carried out of this state or to be held to service against his or her will; or
By deceit induces another to go from one place to another with intent to cause him or her to be secretly confined or imprisoned or to be carried out of this state or to be held to service against his or her will.
Kidnapping is a Class B felony if any of the above violations are committed, with the intent to transfer property in order to obtain the release of the victim. This version of kidnapping is what’s often depicted in movies. It involves a ransom. The Class B felony is reduced to a Class C felony if it’s a victim in a criminal case, that victim is released without permanent physical injury, and that victim is released prior to the first witness being called at a trial.
We defend kidnapping cases. If you’ve been charged with this criminal offense, you know it’s serious. And if you’ve reviewed our website, you know that we’re serious about defending cases just like this. Meyer Van Severen, S.C. is a criminal justice law firm based in Milwaukee, WI. We defend all state and federal charges. If you’ve been charged with kidnapping, contact one of our criminal defense attorneys immediately. (414) 270-0202