{"id":372292,"date":"2018-08-27T10:01:50","date_gmt":"2018-08-27T15:01:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-kidnapping-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-08-28T18:00:17","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T23:00:17","slug":"district-of-columbia-kidnapping-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-kidnapping-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Kidnapping Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Kidnapping Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\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

Traditionally, kidnapping<\/a> was defined as the forcible asportation (carrying away) of the victim to another country. However, most modern statutory definitions are broader in scope and emphasize the involuntary aspect of the seizure or confinement. Kidnapping is a major crime and is punished very harshly throughout the United States. For instance, in Washington, D.C., a kidnapping conviction can lead to a 30-year prison sentence.<\/p>\r\n

The Felony Murder Rule<\/h2>\r\n

One reason that kidnapping is such a serious crime is because of the high risk of harm or death to the victim. Because of this, D.C. law categorizes "kidnapping" as one of the felony murder<\/a> offenses. This means that if you commit a kidnapping and the victim dies during or shortly after you’ve committed the kidnapping (even if the death is unintentional or caused by someone else), then you can be charged with murder in the first degree<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

District of Columbia Kidnapping Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

Being aware of the specifics of statutory provisions is essential in any legal area, but it is especially significant when you’re dealing with criminal matters. The following chart is designed to help you make sense of the law by removing the jargon and presenting the content in a straight-forward manner. Read on for key information about Washington, D.C.’s kidnapping laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

What’s Prohibited<\/b><\/p>\r\n

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Possible Penalties<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Imprisonment of up to 30 years. There is an exception for cases involving a parent and their minor child.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Related Offense<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n