Rockville Kidnapping Defense Attorneys

Knowledgeable Lawyers Defending Against Kidnapping Charges in Rockville, MD

Kidnapping is a very serious criminal charge in Maryland. Accusations of taking or confining another person can lead to serious penalties that may include a prison sentence and other personal consequences. When these charges involve the abduction of children, they can become even more serious. If you are facing kidnapping charges in Rockville, other parts of Maryland, or Washington, D.C., the attorneys at the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder can provide you with a strong legal defense.

What Is Considered Kidnapping Under Maryland Law?

Under Maryland law, kidnapping involves abducting, transporting, restraining, or confining another person against their will. The severity of the offense and the penalties of a conviction will depend on several factors, such as whether the victim was a child or an adult.

Kidnapping of an adult may involve moving or detaining the victim using force or fraud. It may involve carrying or concealing a person for purposes such as ransom or extortion, forcing the victim to commit a crime, or terrorizing the victim. This is a felony offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years.

Kidnapping charges may also involve minors. Child abduction may include abducting a child under the age of 12 using force or persuading or enticing a child to leave their home and accompany someone to another location without the consent of the child's parent or legal guardian. Kidnapping charges may also apply if someone is accused of using force or fraud to abduct a child under the age of 16.

In many cases, child abduction charges are based on a parent or someone else taking a child away from the custody and control of the other parent. Any attempts to prevent a parent or legal guardian from maintaining custody and control of their child can result in kidnapping charges. In these situations, a person could be charged with a felony, and if convicted, they could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

A person other than a parent who is accused of kidnapping a child under the age of 16 through force or fraud could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. If this offense also involves sexual assault or another sex crime, a person could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Legal Representation for People Accused of Kidnapping

Kidnapping cases may involve complex legal issues, and a conviction can affect you in many ways. In addition to the possibility of a prison sentence, you may have a criminal record that could affect your job prospects and other parts of your life. Your ability to maintain custody of your children could be affected, and if you are an immigrant, you could face deportation. You will need a strong defense from an experienced attorney. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, we can help you defend against a conviction by:

• Examining the Evidence: Our team will review the accusations and the evidence against you. We can determine how to respond to witness statements, electronic communications, or any other evidence that may be used to show that you intentionally kidnapped someone.
• Challenging Intent: The prosecution must prove that you intended to abduct or confine the alleged victim. We will argue against this by presenting evidence showing that your actions were misinterpreted.
• Contesting False Allegations: Kidnapping charges may be based on false accusations. This can be a factor in child custody disputes or other emotional situations involving family members. We will investigate the motives of the accuser and present evidence to demonstrate the truth.
• Demonstrating Consent: In some cases, the alleged victim may have consented to the situation. We can help you challenge the charges by showing that you did not abduct someone against their will.
• Negotiating Reduced Charges: Depending on the specific factors involved in your case, we may work to negotiate agreements with the prosecutor that will allow you to avoid a kidnapping conviction. However, we will not encourage you to simply accept a guilty plea, and we will fight to make sure you will be able to minimize the penalties you may face. We are always ready to proceed to trial if that is the best option in your case.
• Protecting Your Parental Rights: If you have been accused of kidnapping your own child, we can argue that you were doing what was necessary to protect the child's safety and best interests. We will work to resolve your case in a way that will allow you to maintain custody and avoid disruptions that could affect your family.

When you secure representation from the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, you can rest assured that we will handle all aspects of your case and work to achieve the ideal outcome for you. We know how frightening it can be to go to court to address criminal charges, but we will do everything we can to make this process as easy and stress-free as possible.

We will provide guidance on what to expect and coach you on the appropriate answers to the questions you may be asked. We will also make sure you are dressed professionally so that you will present the best possible image while in court. We will be by your side during proceedings, arguing for an outcome that will allow you to resolve this situation successfully.

Contact Our Rockville, MD Kidnapping Defense Lawyers

With the right legal representation, you can defend against kidnapping charges while protecting your rights and your future. At the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, we are ready to help you build a strong defense. Contact us at 301-762-7500 to arrange a free consultation.