Kidnapping is one of the most serious charges a person can face in Redwood City, California. It’s a felony offense that carries significant prison time. Defendants facing these charges need to take the situation very seriously.
Prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively, and the difference between a kidnapping conviction, a reduced charge, and a dismissal usually comes down to the strength of the defense.
If you’ve been arrested for kidnapping in Redwood City, let our team help. Contact Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys at (650) 299-0500 to schedule a confidential case consultation with our Redwood City kidnapping lawyer.
Why Hire Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys if You’re Arrested for Kidnapping?
A kidnapping charge in Redwood City, CA, means facing experienced felony prosecutors with your freedom on the line, and no one should walk into that fight alone. Redwood City residents choose Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys because we bring real trial experience to the most serious cases.
Some of the benefits of hiring the firm include:
- 30 years of combined experience
- CA State Bar Certified Specialist in Criminal Law
- Recognized among The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- More than 250 five-star Google reviews
- Over 50 trials successfully defended
- Over 3,000 cases won
Plenty of firms will take a kidnapping case, but that doesn’t mean they have the experience needed to prepare an appropriate defense. Let our team help you with your case in Redwood City, California.
Call today to schedule a confidential case consultation with a Redwood City criminal defense attorney.
Overview of Kidnapping in California
California Penal Code § 207 generally defines kidnapping as moving another person a substantial distance, without their consent, by using force or fear. There’s no fixed minimum number of feet that automatically counts as kidnapping.
Instead, courts look at the actual distance moved along with context, like whether the movement increased the victim’s risk of harm or reduced the chance the crime would be detected. That means a relatively short movement can support a charge in one case while a longer one might not in another.
Consent is also more complicated than it might originally seem. A person can voluntarily agree to go somewhere and later withdraw that consent; continuing to move them against their will at that point can still support a kidnapping charge.
California law also recognizes aggravated forms of kidnapping that carry far harsher penalties, including kidnapping a child under 14, kidnapping for ransom, cases involving bodily harm or death, kidnapping during a carjacking, and kidnapping connected to certain other serious crimes.
What Are the Penalties for Kidnapping in Redwood City, California?
Kidnapping penalties can be incredibly severe, and they depend on the circumstances. Possible penalties include:
- Simple kidnapping: 3, 5, or 8 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000
- Kidnapping a victim under 14: 5, 8, or 11 years in state prison
- Kidnapping for ransom or to commit certain serious crimes: Life in prison with the possibility of parole
- Kidnapping for ransom involving death, bodily harm, or a substantial likelihood of death: Life without the possibility of parole
- Kidnapping during a carjacking: Life in prison with the possibility of parole
The penalties are obviously incredibly severe, so make sure you speak with a Redwood City criminal defense lawyer immediately if you’re facing these charges.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Arrested for Kidnapping?
Kidnapping cases are not impossible to defend. There are elements of the crime that can be disputed, and defense often include:
- Consent: The alleged victim voluntarily agreed to the movement.
- Reasonable belief in consent: You reasonably and in good faith believed the person agreed to go with you.
- Insufficient movement: The person was moved only a slight or trivial distance that doesn’t satisfy the kidnapping requirement.
- Mere presence: You were present but didn’t knowingly participate in or assist the alleged kidnapping.
- Mistaken identity or insufficient evidence: The prosecution can’t prove you were the one who committed the offense, or can’t prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Parental custody rights: A parent with lawful custody may generally travel with their own child, though that protection doesn’t apply when the child is moved for an illegal purpose.
Which defense fits depends entirely on the facts. An experienced defense attorney will investigate thoroughly and determine which defense makes the most sense based on the context of your case.
A kidnapping arrest in Redwood City, CA, is terrifying, but an arrest is not a conviction, and there are often real ways to fight back. The sooner your defense attorney begins looking at the case, the sooner they can come up with a strong defense for you. You don’t have to sort this situation out on your own.
Ahmed & Sukaram, Criminal Defense Attorneys has guided clients through the most serious felony cases San Mateo County prosecutes, and we know how to help you. Reach out to schedule a confidential consultation with a Redwood City kidnapping attorney today and get clear answers about your case.
Nearby Courts
- Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo
400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063 - Hall of Justice
400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063 - San Mateo Superior Court – Family Law
400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
Local Sheriff
- San Mateo County Sheriff
400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063