Suzuki Law Offices knows there is always more to the story when a person has been arrested on kidnapping charges. A Scottsdale violent crimes lawyer from our team is ready to listen to your story and get to work on your defense.
Connect with a Scottsdale kidnapping defense lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest. Our founding attorney has experience as a federal prosecutor, so we know what to expect from the other side. We will give you compassionate legal guidance and aggressive advocacy as we fight to protect your rights and your future.
Suzuki Law Offices Protects You from the Start
An important rule to follow after being arrested on kidnapping or any criminal charge is to say as little as possible. You must confirm your identity with the arresting officer but should not say anything relating to the alleged offense and your suspected involvement.
Officers will put you in handcuffs and must read you your rights. Then, they will take you to the precinct for booking. You will be fingerprinted and photographed, and officers will remove your personal belongings for safekeeping. Then, you will be placed in a cell to await your arraignment. An arraignment is a hearing before a judge where you will hear the charges against you and the amount of your bail.
In the time following your arrest and arraignment, you have the right to call an attorney. Connect with a Scottsdale criminal defense attorney as soon as possible, and we will protect you from the start. We will guide your interactions with law enforcement, fight to ensure your rights are upheld, and give you
an overview to criminal defense in Arizona.
Kidnapping Crimes in Scottsdale
The Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 13-1304 defines kidnapping. A person can be charged with the offense if they “knowingly restrain another person” with the intent of:
- Holding the person for ransom, or using them as a shield or hostage
- Holding them for involuntary servitude
- Inflicting death or physical or sexual injury on the person or for some other felonious act
- Placing the victim or another person in “reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury” to the victim or other person
- Interfering with governmental or political functions
- Seizing or taking control over an airplane, train, bus, ship, or other vehicle
Kidnapping is usually charged as a class 2 felony. Class 4 felony charges may apply if the alleged offender releases the victims, uninjured, and to a safe location–voluntarily and before being arrested. Class 3 charges apply if the alleged offender releases the victim, again uninjured, and as a result of an agreement with the State. When victims are under age 15, kidnapping is a class 2 felony.
Types of Kidnapping Crimes
The word “kidnapping” often conjures images of strangers grabbing victims off the street. While random attacks are one form of kidnapping, they are among the rarer forms of the crime. In many cases, victims know their kidnappers or share some connection with them. Types of kidnapping scenarios include:
- Domestic Disputes: One partner in a relationship may forcibly detain the other
- Custody Conflicts: A child’s non-custodial parent may refuse to return the child to the custodial parent after a period of visitation
- Drug Deals: A party involved in a drug trade may kidnap a person to force another party to pay a debt, return property, or otherwise “settle” a drug-related dispute
- Sex Offenses: A sexual offender may forcibly detain or transport a victim in the commission of rape or sexual assault, or to traffick the victim
- Robberies: A perpetrator may confine victims during home or business invasions
No matter the specifics of the charges you are facing, a kidnapping defense lawyer in Scottsdale can help. Suzuki is your lawyer. We put your interests first and fight hard to secure the best possible outcome.
How a Scottsdale Kidnapping Defense Attorney Can Support Your Defense
From the moment we join forces with you, Suzuki Law Offices will speak on your behalf, protecting you from saying anything that could be used against you, and provide critical guidance. We can tell you how to conduct yourself as you await trial, including how social media usage can impact your criminal case and what behaviors to avoid.
Of course, we will investigate the details of your arrest and alleged crime with great care. We know what you can use as evidence in your criminal defense case and will seek information to support your defense and challenge the prosecution’s claims. We know what the law demands of arresting officers and prosecutors and will work to expose any acts of misconduct that could result in a case dismissal.
If the charges stand, your kidnapping defense attorney in Scottsdale may be able to present mitigating factors to have your charges reduced. These factors decrease your culpability. For example, you may have no criminal history, have acted under threat by another party, or show true remorse for your actions.
Fighting Kidnapping Charges
Some kidnapping cases result from contentious divorces. One partner may level kidnapping accusations at the other to get revenge or because of a misunderstanding about school pick-up times or visitation schedules.
Since the prosecution must prove a defendant “knowingly” restrained another person for specific purposes, we may be able to present evidence showing there was no unlawful restraint and your “victim” was free to go at any time. Or, we may find evidence to show the alleged victim consented to being with you and made accusations only after experiencing regret for the association.
You can count on our team to fight the charges against you with a powerful, custom-designed defense. We will analyze the specific elements of your case and develop a strategic, insightful, and effective approach. Our commitment to providing every client with superior and individualized service informs every decision we make.
Count on Us for Strategic, Effective Representation
If you are facing kidnapping charges, you need Suzuki Law Offices on your side. Our team is ready to build an effective strategy to bring your case to the most favorable resolution possible.
Connect with us as soon as possible to get the protection and advocacy you deserve.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form