The Law Offices of Matt Horak
Kidnapping is a very serious matter wherever it occurs. In most cases, it will be investigated by both federal and state authorities. In every case, it will be a felony. If you have crossed state lines with the abductee, you will be charged with a federal crime. If not, kidnappings in the state of Texas will be subject to our state laws. If you have any questions about whether your case will be a federal or state matter, please ask your Houston criminal attorney.
Because these matters are handled by both state and federal investigators, there is certain to be a lot of evidence gathered against any kidnapping suspect before charges are brought up. Fortunately, this can often result in the age old problem of “too many cooks in the kitchen” and evidence in these cases often ends contaminated or obtained unconstitutionally. A Houston criminal lawyer can help strike any of this evidence from the court record.
If someone has been forcefully taken against her will or deprived of freedom, they have been kidnapped. If they were assaulted, threatened with a weapon, terrorized, used as a shield, obtained for ransom money or abducted to interfere with a political function, their kidnapper will be charged with a first degree felony. These first degree felonies are punishable by life imprisonment. If the victim was released in a safe location, the charges will be reduced to a second degree felony. When the victim was obtained without the situations making the crime a first degree felony, it will be a third degree felony, punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. The laws in Texas can be highly complex, please speak with your Houston criminal lawyer if you have any questions about your charges.