KIDNAPPING ATTORNEYS IN COLUMBUS, OHIO

According to statistics from National Crime Information Center (NCIC), there were 521,705 total reports of missing persons in the United States in 2021. Of these, there were 163,044 people over the age of 21 reported missing. 

In the state of Ohio, kidnapping – removing or abducting a person from their place by force, threat, or restraint and holding them captive – is a serious offense that is often punished severely. A defendant convicted of kidnapping may face devastating penalties, including massive fines, lengthy prison sentences, a criminal record, and other social implications. 

If you have been arrested and charged with kidnapping, retaining an aggressive and highly-skilled Ohio criminal defense attorney is paramount to help build your defense. Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC is dedicated to providing reliable representation and skilled legal guidance to clients in their kidnapping cases. Attorney Stephen Wolfe and his trusted legal team will fight vigorously for your legal rights and dispute the accusations against you with overwhelming evidence in pursuit of the best possible outcome. 

Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC is proud to represent clients across Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding areas throughout Hilliard, Dublin, Gahanna, Westerville, Newark, Lancaster, and Licking County. 

What Is Kidnapping in Ohio? 

According to Ohio law, kidnapping occurs when a person removes another person from the place where they are found through force, threat, deception, or restraining the victim's liberty for any of the following purposes: 

• To hold the victim for ransom, as a shield, or hostage 

• To facilitate the commission of any felony or flight thereafter 

• To engage in sexual activity with the victim against their will 

• To terrorize or inflict serious physical harm on the victim or another person 

• To hold in a condition of involuntary servitude 

• To hinder, obstruct, or impede a government function or to force any action or concession on the part of governmental authority 

However, if the kidnapping offense is accompanied by serious bodily injury to the victim, the crime may be upgraded to aggravated kidnapping – which often carries more severe punishments. Depending on the surrounding circumstances, kidnapping may either be charged as a state or federal crime.

When Is Kidnapping a Federal Crime?  

Furthermore, a kidnapping offense may be charged as a federal crime if: 

• The victim is willfully transported in interstate or foreign commerce 

• The offense occurred within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States 

• The offense occurred within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States 

• The victim is a foreign official, an official guest, or an internationally protected person 

• The victim is a federal officer 

• An undercover federal law enforcement officer apprehended the defendant 

• The circumstances surrounding the kidnapping offense make it extremely serious and must be punished severely 

A kidnapping defense attorney can assess every last detail of your unique circumstances and help you understand the nature and seriousness of your kidnapping allegations. 

What's the Difference Between
Kidnapping & Abduction?  

As mentioned earlier, kidnapping involves taking away a person using threat, force, or deception, holding the person hostage, detaining them against their will, or for ransom. 

Conversely, abduction involves intentionally or knowingly kidnapping a person against their will using threat or force to restrain the victim's liberty or for sexual motivation. While kidnapping often involves a child, a person of any age may be abducted. 

In the state of Ohio, both kidnapping and abduction are serious offenses that carry severe punishment. Both offenses have similar criminal elements. However, the offense will be charged based on the specific facts and surrounding circumstances of the case. 

Possible Penalties 

The possible penalties and consequences of a kidnapping conviction in the state of Ohio include: 

• Prison sentences (ranging from months or years) 

• Hefty fines 

• A criminal record 

• Restitution to the victim 

• Probation 

• Increased difficulty in securing employment and housing 

• Difficulties in obtaining certain financial loans 

• Increased difficulty in getting government assistance or public benefits 

• Loss of your rights to own, carry or possess a firearm or gun 

• Loss of voting rights 

• Increased difficulty in traveling abroad 

• Possible deportation or inadmissibility to the United States 

A knowledgeable Ohio kidnapping defense attorney can investigate all of the surrounding facts of your case and help determine your best defenses to avoid the far-reaching ramifications of a criminal conviction. 

Work with a Knowledgeable
Criminal Defense Attorney 

A kidnapping charge can result in devastating, immediate, and life-long consequences to your liberty, personal reputation, quality of life, professional, and future opportunities. However, defending such kidnapping allegations without experienced representation could potentially increase your risk of suffering the maximum penalties. Therefore, when facing kidnapping charges, you need to hire a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney immediately for detailed guidance. 

The attorneys at Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC have devoted their careers to defending and representing individuals who have been wrongfully arrested and charged with kidnapping. As your legal counsel, they will investigate all of the facts of your case thoroughly and strategize an effective defense to help fight your charges. The trusted legal team at the firm will help you navigate the Ohio criminal justice system and represent you skillfully in every phase of the legal proceedings.