Aggravated Kidnapping
False accusations of aggravated kidnapping in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex can result in serious penalties and consequences, including any of the following:
- A criminal record,
- An inability to own or possess a gun or firearm,
- Fines,
- Inability to be admitted into certain educational programs,
- Inability vote or hold public office,
- Ineligibility to apply for certain jobs, occupations or professions, and/or
- Lengthy jail or prison sentences.
If you have been charged with an aggravated kidnapping offense, you do not necessarily have to face a conviction for the offense. The prosecution is required to prove you committed every element to the aggravated kidnapping offense beyond a reasonable doubt, which can be a difficult burden of proof to meet. Any doubt in the mind of the judge or jury can result in reduction or dismissal of the allegations against you. Therefore, it is important to contact an experienced family crimes defense lawyer immediately after an investigation begins in order to help you create the most ideal legal strategy for your particular situation.
Dallas Aggravated Kidnapping Lawyer
Contact Stuckle & Ferguson for a consultation about your alleged aggravated kidnapping offense throughout the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, including the areas of Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Denton, Lewisville, and Arlington. The attorneys of Stuckle & Ferguson are aggressive aggravated kidnapping defense attorneys who will make every to help you achieve the most desirable outcome for your particular situation. Contact Stuckle & Ferguson for a free consultation today at (972) 423-4405 if you have been charged with an aggravated kidnapping offense throughout Dallas and Fort Worth.
Dallas Aggravated Kidnapping Information Center
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Aggravated Kidnapping in Dallas
According to section 20.01 of the Texas Penal Code, aggravated kidnapping generally involves either of the following elements:
Abduction - This term is defined as holding an individual with the intent to prevent them from being released by:
- Using or threatening to use deadly force against them, or
- Hiding or holding the individual in a place where they are unlikely to be found.
Restraint - This term is defined restricting an individual's movements without their consent by confining them so the restraints substantially interfere with their ability to be freed or by restricting their freedom by moving them from one place to another. An individual is restrained without consent if:
- The restraint is achieved through deception, force or intimidation;
- The restraint is achieved through an other means, including agreement by the alleged victim if either of the following apply:
- The alleged victim is incompetent or a child under 14 years old, and their parent, guardian or person acting place of the parent did not agree to the movement or confinement; or
- The alleged victim is a child who is 14 years old or older but younger than the age of 17; they are taken outside of the state and outside of a 120-mile radius of their home; and their parent, guardian or person acting in place of their parent did not agree to the movement.
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Texas Aggravated Kidnapping Laws
According to section 20.04 of the Texas Penal Code, an individual can be charged with aggravated kidnapping if they intentionally or knowingly abduct another person with the intent to:
- Commit a felony or flee after the attempt or commission of a felony;
- Hold the person for ransom or reward;
- Interfere with the performance of any governmental or political function;
- Terrorize the individual or a third person;
- Use the individual as a shield or hostage; or
- Violate, sexually abuse or inflict bodily injury on the individual.
Additionally, an individual can be charged with aggravated kidnapping if they intentionally or knowingly abduct another person and use or exhibit a deadly weapon during the commission of the kidnapping offense.
An intentional or knowing state of mind or mental state is a required element to an aggravated kidnapping offense. This means the defendant's actions must have been intentional or knowing. As stated in the Texas Penal Code, these mental states are defined as follows:
- Knowingly – An individual can act knowingly if they commit some type of conduct and they are aware their conduct is reasonably certain to cause the result of the conduct.
- Intentionally – An individual can act intentionally if they commit some type of action and it is in their desire or conscious objective to engage in the action or to cause the result of the act or action.
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Fort Worth Aggravated Kidnapping Penalties
Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code defines the general penalties to a conviction for aggravated kidnapping conviction, which are as follows:
- A conviction for aggravated kidnapping is generally punishable as a felony of the first degree, which can result in a prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.
- However, if the alleged kidnapper can prove they voluntarily released the victim to a safe place, a conviction for aggravated kidnapping is instead punishable as a felony of the second degree, which can result in a prison sentence ranging from two to 20 years and/or a fine up to $10,000.
Additionally, these punishments can vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Whether the alleged victim was a child, disabled, incompetent or elderly person,
- Whether the alleged offender is considered a repeat felony offender,
- Whether the alleged offender is considered a habitual offender, and/or
- Whether the alleged offender has a prior criminal conviction.
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Aggravated Kidnapping Defenses in Plano
Certain defenses or mitigating factors may be available to your alleged aggravated kidnapping offense. These defenses and factors do not apply to every set of circumstances, so it is important to first consult with an experienced family crimes defense lawyer about the specific facts surrounding your case to determine if any of the defenses listed below may be applicable to your situation. Defenses commonly available to aggravated kidnapping accusations in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex can include:
- Mistaken Identity
- Mistake of Fact
- Lack of Knowledge
- Lack of Intent
- Justification
- Duress
- Coercion
- Alibi
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Stuckle & Ferguson, PLLC | Aggravated Kidnapping Defense Attorney in Fort Worth
If you have been accused of an aggravated kidnapping offense throughout Texas, including the areas of Collin County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Denton County, Lubbock County, El Paso County, Bexar County, Nueces County, Webb County, Bell County, Travis County, Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Harris County and Montgomery County, contact Stuckle & Ferguson today. Paul Stuckle is an experienced family violence attorney in Dallas who will make every effort to fight the false accusations against you. Contact Stuckle & Ferguson today for a free consultation at (972) 423-4405 or send an online message about your false aggravated kidnapping charges.