Kidnapping in Adams County, Colorado is an offense that involves moving another person from one location to another by enticement, persuasion, or force. Two degrees of kidnapping exist in Colorado law, both serious felonies. Last week, local police released a sketch of a man accused of attempting to abduct a 12-year-old girl walking home from school. Accusations of this nature in Thornton, Northglenn, or Commerce City require immediate help from an experienced kidnapping lawyer.
What Qualifies as Kidnapping in Colorado?
C.R.S. 18-3-301 and C.R.S. 18-3-302 define the conduct of kidnapping throughout the state of Colorado. Someone commits kidnapping in the second degree if they:
- knowingly seize or carry any person from one location to another,
- without their consent and without lawful justification
Additionally, in relation to children, a person commits second-degree kidnapping if they:
- take, entice, or decoy away a child not their own,
- under the age of 18,
- with intent to keep or conceal the minor from their parents / guardian,
- or with the intent to trade, sell, or barter the child
A key element of second degree kidnapping is the movement (even slight) of the victim from one place to another. First-degree kidnapping, however, doesn’t always involve a victim being moved but does apply to situations where the abduction is for ransom. If a victim isn’t moved to another location, is kept for a brief period of time, and not for ransom, the lesser crime of false imprisonment might apply.
What is the Punishment for kidnapping in adams county?
Kidnapping in either the first or second degree carries strict penalties in Colorado. Conviction of these felony offenses can mean decades in the Colorado Department of Corrections and six-figure fines. Additionally, kidnapping is an extraordinary risk crime in Colorado’s counties increasing the maximum incarceration sentence by 2 – 4 years. Kidnapping is also a crime of violence in Colorado if there was use or possession of a deadly weapon in the act(s) or someone was seriously injured.
Adams County Kidnapping Lawyer | Experienced Criminal Defense
An accusation or charge of kidnapping in Thornton or Westminster requires skilled representation from a Colorado criminal defense attorney. Abduction charges are complicated and intricate, thus careful analysis from a professional kidnapping lawyer is a must. Perhaps you didn’t move the alleged victim or they went with you willingly. Nonetheless, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation with Adams County’s best defense lawyers. We will thoroughly analyze your unique situation and suggest next steps in prioritizing your best possible outcome.
If you or someone you know is facing kidnapping charges in Colorado, be smart. Contact the skilled defense attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.
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