Kidnapping Defense Lawyer in West Palm Beach
Few crimes are as serious as kidnapping because it is punishable by up to life in prison. The state vigorously prosecutes these cases, but that does not mean a guilty verdict is a foregone conclusion. In fact, the state’s evidence against you might not even support the charge of kidnapping.
It is crucial that the judge and jury hear your side of the story, so contact a West Palm Beach kidnapping defense lawyer at our firm today. Ronald S. Chapman has represented clients for more than 34 years, including those facing serious charges such as kidnapping.
What Is Kidnapping?
Florida law defines kidnapping as abducting, imprisoning, or confining another person against the individual’s will. This is done by threat, force, or in secret, with the intention of:
- Obtaining ransom
- Using the person as a shield or hostage
- Committing a felony
- Interfering with any government function
- Physically injuring the individual
What To Expect When Arrested For Kidnapping
If law enforcement arrests you for kidnapping, it may well submit its case to the State Attorney’s office which will then decide whether or not to formally charge you. Sometimes, it is possible for your lawyer to convince the prosecutor that you did not commit the crime of kidnapping and to drop your case. However, if the prosecutor still decides to charge you with kidnapping, you will need an experienced criminal defense lawyer like Ronald Chapman to defend you in court.
Defending Against Kidnapping Charges
Your West Palm Beach kidnapping will carefully review the evidence in your case in order to present the best possible defense. For example, the person who claims that he was kidnapped may actually be lying in order to get you into a lot of trouble. In that case, you will need an experienced criminal defense lawyer like Ron Chapman in order to show that the alleged victim is actually a liar.
Parental Kidnapping
The alleged kidnapper and victim often know each other in these cases. In fact, it is not unusual for a parent to be accused of kidnapping his or her child. A parent must violate a custody order to be accused of kidnapping. Along with the custody order, there are other factors to consider, so contact kidnapping defense lawyer Ronald Chapman in West Palm Beach today to discuss your case.