Florida Statute 787.02 governs the crime of False Imprisonment. In Florida, the term “false imprisonment” is defined as:
Forcibly, by threat, or secretly confining, abducting, imprisoning, or restraining another person without lawful authority and against her or his will.
Often times, a person is charged with this crime following a domestic dispute. Often times, when police are called, one party will claim that he or she was prohibited from leaving, or that the other party blocked the door. This may be enough for the police to arrest a defendant and charge him/her with this felony offense.
If you have been charged with this crime, it is important to know that there are several options. You should know that frequently, the police charge someone with this crime, but an attorney may be able to convince the State to reduce or dismiss the charge before it is even filed. You should also know that this crime carries harsh penalties, including fines and possibly imprisonment. Therefore, it is important to contact an attorney early on to see if you can have the charges against you dismissed or at least reduced from a felony to a lesser misdemeanor charge.
At Taracks & Associates we have helped thousands of people in your shoes. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation if you have been charged with False Imprisonment.
