Morgantown Kidnapping Lawyer

Morgantown Kidnapping Attorney

Kidnapping can take many forms. Whether due to a simple misunderstanding or allegedly malicious intent, a kidnapping charge can have a serious and devastating impact on one’s life and future. When faced with these charges, it is prudent to employ the assistance of a Morgantown kidnapping lawyer who can help you navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system.

Once hired, a skilled attorney can begin to work on a strategic defense, diligently focusing on advocating and fighting for your rights.

What Defines Kidnapping in West Virginia

In the state of West Virginia, kidnapping is defined as the taking, seizing, detaining, or transporting of a human being by force, deception, or intimidation and with no legal reason for doing so. Kidnapping must include the intent to use the victim as a hostage or a shield, cause them physical injury, hold them for ransom, or terrorize them.

How an Attorney Can Help

Hiring an experienced and trusted criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference in a case when you or a loved one has been accused of kidnapping. The penalties for these crimes can be harsh and carry consequences that can negatively impact the rest of a defendant’s life.

However, a compassionate and caring Morgantown kidnapping lawyer can ensure that your case undergoes a fair trial. They can also make sure that the court hears your defense and understands any and all reasons behind your alleged actions.

The team at Crowe Law, LLC, is here to guide you through any abduction charges and help you build a strong defense. We can manage your case with the skill and attention to detail it deserves.

Ultimately, our goal is to fight and advocate for the rights of our clients. By creating and maintaining a strong defense, entering each case with a deep understanding of the law, and having the tools and knowledge necessary to analyze all aspects of your case, Crowe Law, LLC can do exactly that.

Factors That May Have an Impact on Kidnapping Charges

There are many factors that come into play during a kidnapping case. They can have an effect on the sentencing and punishments if the defendant is convicted. These factors include but are not limited to:

• Abducting any person with the intent to extort money or other benefits.
• Abducting with the intent to defile.
• Abducting with the intent of forced prostitution.
• Abducting with the intent of creating child pornography.
• Committing a kidnapping as a prison or juvenile detention center escapee.
• Threatening or even assisting in the abduction of another human being.

Because each kidnapping case is different and comes with its own list of elements that may impact the case, it is always wise to retain the services of a trusted and skilled criminal defense attorney who understands the intricate laws surrounding these kinds of cases.

Types of Kidnapping

As in most places, there are two main types of kidnapping cases seen in the state of West Virginia.

• Abduction by a Stranger: In these cases, the person being kidnapped can either be a child or an adult. The kidnapper typically takes the person in order to extort money from parents or other loved ones. Sometimes, this can also be done for illegal purposes, such as human trafficking. This serious charge could come with a felony conviction and imprisonment for the rest of one’s lifetime.
• Abduction by a Parent: In some cases, a parent may kidnap their own child. This is a more common occurrence when separated or divorced parents cannot agree on a child custody arrangement for child support. Depending on the details surrounding the case, a parent accused of abducting their child can face severe charges. One factor that has the potential to increase the severity of charges is crossing state lines with the child.

No matter which kind of charges you or a loved one face, it is crucial to consult with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer to see what options may be available to you.

Kidnapping Penalties

In the state of West Virginia, when there are no outside aggravating factors involved, an abduction usually results in a felony. However, quite a few factors can come into play, creating other penalties. These factors can include:

• A parent abducting a child and removing them from the state.
• A kidnapping in order to extort money or in order to prostitute a child under the age of 16.
• An escaped prisoner abducting another human being.
• A parent committing a kidnapping without additional variables.
• A failure to report a kidnapping of a child.

FAQs

Q: How Much Is a Sentence for Kidnapping?

A: In West Virginia, a kidnapping sentence is highly dependent on a litany of factors surrounding the case. These factors can include the age of the person abducted, the intentions of the kidnapper, the harm committed and suffered, if the victim is a child and taken across state lines, and the nature of the kidnapper.

Q: What Is the Lowest Penalty for Kidnapping?

A: Due to countless surrounding circumstances, each case is unique, as is the lowest penalty that could come along with kidnapping charges. However, most people convicted for the kidnapping of another human being can expect jail time and fines. The severity of these penalties is dependent on several factors involved in the case.

Q: What Is the Highest Penalty for Kidnapping?

A: The highest penalty for kidnapping depends on the exact case. Most kidnapping cases in West Virginia are a capital offense and, therefore, a felony. In the most extreme cases, penalties could include a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Some cases will allow for the reduction of a life sentence if the kidnapper releases the victim without harming them or receiving a ransom.

Q: What Is Code 61-2-14 in West Virginia?

A: Under West Virginia law, code 61-2-14 states that any person who takes another person or detains them against their will with the intent to marry or defile that person, or takes away a child under the age of 16 for the purpose of prostitution, is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned no less than three years and no more than 10.

How Crowe Law, LLC, Can Help

Kidnapping accusations, especially in regard to the abduction of a minor, are extremely serious matters and deserve to be treated with the care and respect of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Our team at Crowe Law, LLC, is here to come alongside you and represent your interests as we advocate for your rights.

Contact us today for a free consultation to see if our services are right for you.