The Crime

Kidnapping is a felony offense that can seriously damage your record and your reputation. In Tennessee, a person may be convicted of a Kidnapping if the state prosecutor proves beyond a reasonable doubt that the person knowingly:

1. Removed or confined another unlawfully so as to interfere substantially with the other’s liberty; AND
2. Did so under circumstances that exposed the other person to substantial risk of bodily injury.

[Source: Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 39-13-302, 39-13-303]

The Penalties

Under Tennessee Law, a conviction for Kidnapping is a Class C Felony and may result in some or all of the following consequences:

1. A sentence of 3 to 15 years in prison;
2. A probationary period;
3. A fine of up to $10,000;
4. Court costs.

If you have been charged with the crime of Kidnapping, you should seek help from the Knoxville criminal defense attorneys at the Oberman & Rice Law Firm.

[Source: Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-303]

Other Consequences of a Kidnapping Conviction

In addition to the court-mandated penalties described above, a person convicted of Kidnapping may also experience serious collateral (other) consequences. A Tennessee Kidnapping conviction may result in the loss of college scholarships or the ability to seek admission to a higher learning institution. A conviction may also impact one’s ability to maintain or seek employment and may result in negative action to a professional license (e.g. nursing).

Furthermore, a conviction for Kidnapping will ALWAYS stay on a person’s criminal history, and current and future employers may access records of prior convictions. This means that under current Tennessee criminal law and expungement law you may not erase or expunge a Kidnapping conviction from public record. Accordingly, current and future employers may access records of Tennessee criminal convictions. For more information about Tennessee expungement law, you may wish to review the information contained on our sister website, http://www.eraseyourrecord.com/index.html.

Why Hire An Attorney Immediately?

It is important to act quickly in order to gather and preserve favorable evidence. Key evidence (faces, dates, events, and conversations) fades from memory over time. Certain witnesses need to be interviewed as soon as possible. Also, video recordings and other evidence may be destroyed. Therefore, it is critical to begin an investigation as soon as possible to ensure valuable evidence is not lost. Success or failure in any criminal case may be determined in the decisions of the defendant and his or her Tennessee Criminal Attorney in only a few hours or days after an arrest is made.

Contact Us Today

If you or someone you know has recently been charged, contact the Oberman & Rice Law Firm today so that we can begin preparing a defense for your case. Submit your information for a free case evaluation from our Knoxville criminal defense attorneys or call our office at 865-249-7200.