Kidnapping

Kidnapping charges are typically filed as felonies in Colorado, with the age of the alleged victim and the condition of the alleged victim after the offense playing an important role in these cases. As with other felony criminal offenses:

• Kidnapping charges can range in severity, with first-degree charges being the most serious level of charges that can be filed against a person.
• The penalties upon conviction can be devastating to a person’s freedom, family and future.
• Having a strong defense will be critical to resolving these charges as favorably as possible.

At The Kohn Law Firm, our Colorado Springs kidnapping defense attorneys have been dedicated to fiercely defending the rights of the accused and upholding the ideal that people are innocent until proven guilty since 2003. While we have the knowledge, experience and resources to help build our clients the strongest possible defense cases, we also have the skills necessary to help them obtain the best possible outcomes to their cases when they are facing kidnapping charges.

First-Degree Kidnapping Charges

As the most serious level of kidnapping charges, first-degree kidnapping charges are typically filed when someone has been accused of:

• Forcibly transporting someone from one place to another
• Enticing or coercing another individual to move from one place to another
• Imprisoning or hiding someone else.

In such cases, the alleged intent usually has to be that the accused individual was trying to get money (or something else of value) in exchange for the kidnapped individual or that the accused individual was trying to coerce someone else into agreeing to something (in exchange for getting the kidnapped individual back).

While Class 1 felony charges will typically be filed if the kidnapped person has been injured in the course of the alleged kidnapping, Class 2 felony charges will usually be filed if the kidnapped person is returned without injury. If, however, someone is killed in the course of the kidnapping, the prosecutor in these cases may threaten the accused person with the death penalty.

Second-Degree Kidnapping Charges

Second-degree kidnapping charges are usually filed when someone is accused of illegally transporting another individual without his consent and/or enticing or coercing a child away from his legal guardians (with the intent of leveraging the child for something of value from the parents or guardians).

While second-degree kidnapping charges can be filed as Class 4 felonies, more severe charges can be filed when:

• A deadly weapon was allegedly used in the course of the kidnapping – In these cases, Class 3 felony charges will typically be filed.
• The victim allegedly sustains a sexual assault or is allegedly robbed in the course of the kidnapping – In these cases, Class 2 felony charges can be filed.

Other Types of Kidnapping Charges

Other types of charges that can be filed in cases in which some type of kidnapping offense allegedly took place include (but are not necessarily limited to):

• False imprisonment, in which a person is allegedly detained by someone else against his will – Misdemeanor to felony charges can be filed in these incidents, depending on the details of the case.
• Custody order violations, in which someone allegedly takes a child away from the legal guardian without the guardian’s knowledge or consent – These incidents can result in Class 5 felony charges, which may be elevated to a Class 4 felony if the child is allegedly taken outside of the country.
• Enticement of a child, in which someone allegedly lures a child (i.e., someone younger than 15 years old) with the intent of having any type of unlawful sexual contact with that child – These incidents are typically associated with Class 4 felony charges, which can be elevated to Class 3 felonies if the accused individual has a criminal history.

Colorado Springs Kidnapping Defense Lawyers at The Kohn Law Firm

Have you or a loved one been charged with any type of kidnapping offense? If so, the attorneys at The Kohn Law Firm are ready to aggressively defend your rights and help you bring your case to a successful resolution. Since 2003, we have been helping our clients navigate the intricacies of the criminal justice system while building them the strongest possible defense cases.

Contact Us to Get Your Defense Started Today

To learn more about how we can help you, set up a free initial consultation with us by calling us at (719) 328-9555 or by emailing us using the contact form at the top of this page.

From our offices in Colorado Springs, we represent clients throughout the Pikes Peak region and Colorado.