{"id":372580,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/florida-kidnapping-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-05-26T09:44:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T14:44:27","slug":"florida-kidnapping-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/florida-kidnapping-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Florida Kidnapping Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Florida Kidnapping Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\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\n\n

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Under Florida<\/span> law<\/span>, kidnapping is forcibly, secretly, or by threat confining, abducting<\/span>, or imprisoning another person against their will and without lawful authority<\/span>. The crime requires specific intent to hold for ransom, commit a felony, inflict harm, or interfere with government functions. Kidnapping is a first-degree felony<\/span> punishable by up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Kidnapping is one of the most serious of all criminal offenses<\/span>. It’s a felony that carries severe criminal penalties. The state of <\/span>Florida<\/span> has specific kidnapping laws<\/a> that define the offense and outline the penalties.<\/p>\n

In general, a kidnapping offense<\/span><\/a> involves taking another person without their consent. While a person can be found guilty of kidnapping without taking their victim by force, the law does require that they do so without legal authority.<\/p>\n

This article examines and explains Florida<\/span>‘s kidnapping laws, including the defenses and penalties associated with this crime. It also discusses related offenses<\/span>, such as false imprisonment<\/span><\/a>. If you’re facing criminal charges<\/span> for kidnapping or any other serious crime<\/span> in Florida<\/span>, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a> for help.<\/p>\n

How Does Florida<\/span> Law<\/span> Define the Crime of Kidnapping<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

Found in the Florida<\/span> Criminal Punishment Code<\/span>, the state\u2019s kidnapping statutes<\/a> define kidnapping as forcibly, secretly, or by threat confining, abducting<\/span>, or imprisoning another person against their will and without lawful authority<\/span>. This is done with one of the following intents:<\/p>\n