Kidnapping
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Northern Virginia Kidnapping Lawyer
Experienced Kidnapping Defense Attorneys in Manassas, VA
When facing the life-altering implications of an alleged kidnapping, you need a legal team you can trust to fight tirelessly for your rights. The Manassas Law Group has built a reputation as a dependable ally for individuals accused of serious crimes throughout Prince William County and Northern Virginia, including kidnapping. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys understand the Virginia legal system through and through and are dedicated to securing the most favorable outcome for every client.
Kidnapping is a serious crime under Virginia law, with severe penalties that can include decades in prison, significant fines, and lasting damage to your personal and professional life. If you or a loved one is facing kidnapping or abduction charges, it’s crucial to act quickly. Call the Manassas Law Group at (703) 361-8246 or complete our online intake form to speak with a Northern Virginia kidnapping lawyer today.

What Counts as Kidnapping?
Kidnapping under Virginia law involves unlawfully seizing, detaining, or transporting another person against their will without legal justification. It requires elements like force, intimidation, or deception to restrain someone’s liberty, coupled with intent to harm, conceal, extort, or commit other crimes such as human trafficking or demanding ransom.
Unlike unlawful restraint or false imprisonment, kidnapping typically involves moving the alleged victim or prolonged detention with malicious intent. For example, holding someone briefly in a room may be false imprisonment, but forcibly transporting them to extort money constitutes kidnapping.
Kidnapping charges can arise in various scenarios, including child custody disputes where a parent unlawfully takes their own child, allegations tied to robbery or trafficking, or misunderstandings in personal relationships.
Each Virginia kidnapping case depends on the specific circumstances, making it vital to seek immediate legal assistance from an experienced kidnapping lawyer when facing such serious charges.

VA Code 18.2-47
Under Virginia Code § 18.2-47, kidnapping, also referred to as abduction, is defined as the unlawful seizure, transportation, or detention of another person with the intent to deprive them of their personal liberty.
This means that any act of forcefully or deceptively restraining someone’s freedom of movement, whether by physical force, intimidation, or trickery, can result in kidnapping charges if the intent behind the act is malicious.
Virginia Child Abduction vs. Kidnapping
In Virginia, the terms kidnapping and abduction are often used interchangeably, as they both involve the unlawful seizure, detention, or transportation of another person, including a child, with the intent to deprive them of their liberty.
Abduction crimes encompass any act of kidnapping, regardless of the victim’s age. However, when the alleged victim is a child, Virginia law often emphasizes the specific circumstances, such as whether the act violates a child custody order or was intended for extortion, concealment, or other criminal purposes.
While the terminology may vary depending on the context of the case, the legal principles behind kidnapping and abduction charges are closely aligned, with both carrying serious charges under Virginia law.

Types of Kidnapping Charges Under Virginia Law
Kidnapping is not a one-size-fits-all charge. Under Virginia law, the nature and severity of the offense depend on the circumstances surrounding the case. Factors such as the victim’s relationship with the accused, the intent behind the kidnapping or abduction, and whether the kidnapping occurred alongside other crimes can influence how the criminal charges are classified.
Simple Kidnapping
Simple kidnapping refers to the unlawful restraint or detention of a person without aggravated circumstances, such as intent to harm, extort, or commit additional criminal acts. These cases generally involve holding someone against their will through force, intimidation, or deception without taking further malicious actions.
Aggravated Kidnapping
Aggravated kidnapping occurs when the unlawful restraint or detention of a person is accompanied by additional criminal intent, such as intent to harm, commit sexual assault, extort money, or demand ransom.
These kidnapping charges are considered much more severe due to the increased risk and harm to the victim. For example, if someone is abducted to extort money from their family or inflict physical harm, it constitutes aggravated kidnapping.
Parental Kidnapping
Parental kidnapping, also known as parental abduction, involves situations where a parent unlawfully takes their own child in violation of a custody order or court agreement. These criminal charges often occur during contentious custody battles, where one parent removes a child from the other parent’s care without permission or a legal justification.
Kidnapping in Conjunction with Other Crimes
In some cases, kidnapping is charged as part of a larger criminal scheme. These situations often involve offenses such as robbery, human trafficking, child pornography, or extortion, where the unlawful detention or transportation of a victim plays a role in the broader crime.
For example, abducting someone to facilitate a bank robbery, forcing a victim into labor as part of a trafficking operation, or detaining a minor for manufacturing child pornography constitutes kidnapping in conjunction with other crimes.

What are the Penalties for Kidnapping in Virginia?
Depending on the circumstances, a kidnapping conviction can result in a lengthy prison sentence, significant fines, and a permanent criminal record. The severity of the punishment often depends on factors such as the victim’s age, the presence of aggravating circumstances, and whether the kidnapping was part of a broader criminal act. Here’s a quick overview:
- Felony Charges: A conviction for basic kidnapping can result in up to 10 years in prison, while aggravated kidnapping can lead to a prison sentence of 20 years to life. Parental abduction is usually considered a misdemeanor, but if the parent takes the child across state lines or has been ordered visitation, it can escalate to a felony charge.
- Fines and Restitution: In addition to imprisonment, kidnapping convictions often include significant financial penalties, such as fines and court-ordered restitution. For basic kidnapping or abduction charges, fines can cost $2,500. However, for aggravated kidnapping charges, fines can be up to $100,000.
- Other Consequences: Beyond prison time and fines, a kidnapping conviction has lasting repercussions, including a permanent criminal record that can restrict employment, housing, and professional opportunities. Convicted individuals may lose civil rights, such as voting or owning firearms, and face stigma that damages personal relationships and reputations.
How a Northern Virginia Kidnapping Defense Attorney From The Manassas Law Group Can Help
A Northern Virginia kidnapping lawyer from The Manassas Law Group is dedicated to protecting your rights and building a strong case in your defense. Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys combines extensive legal knowledge with a commitment to uncovering every detail that could create reasonable doubt about the charges against you.
Through a thorough investigation of evidence, witness statements, and police procedures, our team of Manassas criminal defense attorneys works to identify flaws in the prosecution’s case and prove that the defendant acted without intent to harm or in a legally justifiable manner.

Protect Your Future with a Strong Legal Defense – Contact Manassas Law Group Today
Kidnapping charges are among the most serious criminal accusations, with life-altering consequences that can include lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, and a lasting criminal record. Acting quickly to secure an experienced Virginia kidnapping lawyer is essential to building a strong defense and protecting your rights.
If you’ve been charged with kidnapping or abduction crimes in Virginia, you can trust that the Prince William County criminal lawyers at the Manassas Law Group have the skill, resources, and dedication to thoroughly investigate your case, challenge the evidence, and fight for the most favorable outcome.
Call The Manassas Law Group at (703) 361-8246 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Virginia kidnapping lawyer today.

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A criminal act like kidnapping can follow you around forever. Call our Prince William County office at 703-361-8246 to speak with a lawyer about the charges you face today.
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