{"id":372107,"date":"2016-04-11T01:21:34","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/connecticut-law\/connecticut-kidnapping-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:49:55","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:49:55","slug":"connecticut-kidnapping-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/connecticut-law\/connecticut-kidnapping-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Connecticut Kidnapping Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Connecticut Kidnapping Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A defendant has committed the crime of kidnapping<\/a> if he or she intentionally or knowingly abducts another person. This situation often arises within the divorced or separated family context as well. The most commonly publicized cases involve the kidnapping of a child by one of the child’s parents<\/a> while the child is in the custody of the other parent.<\/p>\n

Kidnapping with a Firearm<\/h2>\n

In Connecticut, a defendant can be convicted of the higher crime of aggravated kidnapping if he or she has committed a kidnapping using or threatening the use of firearm. Kidnapping in the first degree with a firearm is a class A felony<\/a> for which one year of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced by the court.<\/p>\n

Additionally, a defendant is guilty of second-degree kidnapping with a firearm when he commits kidnapping in the second degree using or threatening the use of firearm.<\/p>\n

Kidnapping in the second degree with a firearm is a class B felony for which three years of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced by the court.<\/p>\n

The following table lists the main provisions of Connecticut kidnapping laws, while additional background information follows. See FindLaw’s Fraud and Financial Crimes<\/a> section for more information.<\/p>\n\n
Statute<\/td>\nConn. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 53a-92, Sec. 53a-97, Sec. 53a-98<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Defenses to Kidnapping Charges<\/td>\n
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  • The defendant voluntarily released the victim in a safe place (NOTE: This is only a partial defense and may only result in the decrease of the penalty and charge by one degree.);<\/li>\n
  • Fleeing domestic violence;<\/li>\n
  • Lack of knowledge;<\/li>\n
  • The defendant is a relative of the victim;<\/li>\n
  • The defendant’s only intent was to gain lawful control of the victim.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Degrees<\/td>\n

First Degree<\/u><\/b>: Class A felony.<\/p>\n

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  • It applies when a defendant:<\/li>\n
  • Abducts a person for ransom;<\/li>\n
  • Abducts a person for the purpose of sexually abusing or inflicting physical injury;<\/li>\n
  • Abducts a person in the commission of a felony;<\/li>\n
  • Abducts a person for the purpose of terrorizing the person or a third party;<\/li>\n
  • Abducts a person to interfere with a government function; or<\/li>\n
  • If a firearm is used in commission of a kidnapping, the charge becomes kidnapping in the first degree with a firearm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Second Degree<\/u><\/b>: Class B felony.<\/p>\n

    It applies when a defendant:<\/p>\n

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    • Abducts another person; or<\/li>\n
    • If a firearm is used in commission of a kidnapping, the charge becomes kidnapping in the second degree with a firearm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Custodial Interference Laws<\/td>\n

Custodial Interference in the Second Degree is a Class A misdemeanor<\/a>. Under the Connecticut statute, it applies when:<\/p>\n