The Many Facets of Kidnapping Charges
Kidnapping has been defined as the unlawful taking and transporting of a person against that person’s will. It is often performed in an attempt to obtain ransom or to further another crime, and kidnapping for this reason is a serious offense that’s considered a first-degree crime.
Kidnapping may also be used as a tool to inflict emotional pain, such as when performed in connection with a child custody dispute. A kidnapping of this type will typically receive second-degree charges. The following are common motives for kidnapping that could result in felony charges.
Parental Kidnapping
Child abductions are often the result of separation or divorce when one parent desires to keep the child against the will of the other. They can also take place against the authority of a court order. Most victims of parental kidnapping are between 6 and 11 years of age, according to an Ohio State University study.
Parental child abduction is by far the most common type of child kidnapping. They can occur within the same city and state. If a kidnapper, whether in a child abduction situation or otherwise, crosses state lines, it becomes a federal case, and first or second-degree charges do not apply.
Non-Family Member Kidnapping
Kidnappings that are performed by a non-family member are also common, and these crimes may or may not be premeditated. The potential for bodily harm to the victim is more likely in a non-family member kidnapping. Kidnapping with bodily harm is a category A felony that typically results in a sentence of life without parole.
Kidnapping is a serious crime that can lead to a lifetime in prison on first- or second-degree charges. Those who have been charged with kidnapping in Nevada may benefit from the services of a Las Vegas criminal defense attorney.