Holding Someone Against
Their Will is Kidnapping!
Alongside the rise of modern society has been the rise of human trafficking and kidnapping. Men and women all over the world fall victim to the criminal underworld as kidnappings continue to happen every day. In Muskogee, kidnapping is a serious felony offense.
Elements and Punishments for Kidnapping in Oklahoma
Seizing, confining, inveigling, abducting, or carrying away another person with the intent to hold them against their will, force them to leave the state, or sell the person as a slave are considered different forms of kidnapping in Oklahoma.
If the person is over the age of 12 and gave their consent to the kidnapping without being under duress, the defendant may not be guilty of kidnapping.
Anyone convicted of kidnapping in Muskogee will face a bare minimum of 12 years in prison. Kidnapping punishments have a limit of 20 years of imprisonment within a state penitentiary. If there was any sexual abuse or exploitation during the kidnapping, those convicted will be under the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ supervision for an indefinite amount of time after their release.
Muskogee Extortionate Kidnapping
Anyone who intends to kidnap someone with the intent to extort money, property, or anything of value from the victim or anyone else is guilty of extortionate kidnapping.
Any communication via message, phone call, telegraph, word of mouth, or newspaper ad demanding payment for kidnapping is grounds for capital punishment. The death penalty is the maximum punishment for this crime and the minimum punishment is 10 years in prison.
Anyone who knowingly aids in the kidnapping by disposing of, receiving, possessing, or exchanging money property, or anything of value from the person who was kidnapped shall be guilty of extortionate kidnapping. These people will have a bare minimum of five years in prison.
If you are facing charges for this offense your case needs the attention of a skilled attorney. Call a Muskogee criminal defense attorney for legal assistance in court.
Human Trafficking in Muskogee
Oklahoma defines human trafficking as modern-day slavery where a person is denied their freedom and used for commercial sex or manual labor. Any person caught violating human trafficking laws may pay up to $100,000 in fines. Trafficking a minor can result in up to $250,000 in fines.
Human Trafficking comes with a five-year minimum prison sentence upon conviction. The longest sentence that can possibly be given is life in prison. Trafficking of anyone under 18 years has a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with the maximum sentence being life in prison.
Human trafficking is one of Oklahoma’s 85% laws. This means anyone convicted of the offense must serve at least 85% of their sentence. For a minimum human trafficking sentence, that is four and a half years. The human trafficking of a minor would be approximately 12 and a half years before you are eligible for parole.
Law Enforcement Protocol During Kidnapping and Hostage Situations
Law enforcement officers reserve the right to order telephone companies to cut, reroute or divert telephone lines in emergency situations. For example, if kidnappers contact law enforcement via telephone, officers may gain information on the perpetrators via their service provider.
Anyone who fails to keep the matters of the case confidential may have a civil lawsuit filed against them. The victim may sue for all the damages done as well as for attorney fees. Consider calling a Muskogee attorney at (918) 884-7774.
Low-cost Consultation with a Criminal Defense Attorney
No one is perfect. Sometimes we as humans make mistakes – unfortunately, human trafficking is a mistake that can lead to severe consequences. It is best to call an Oklahoma criminal defense attorney while you still can.
Call (918) 884-7774 or fill out our consultation form on this page to set up your low-cost consultation with a human trafficking defense attorney in Oklahoma.