Spokane Kidnapping Lawyer

The attorneys at the Law Office of Steve Graham have handled some of most serious and high profile cases in Washington, and have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Rolling Stone Magazine. Steve Graham has repeatedly been rated one of Spokane's top five defense lawyers by the magazine Spokane - Couer d'Alene Living. If the stakes are high in your case, you deserve serious representation. Under the law, kidnapping is a grave offense. It is a “strike” and can bring a maximum penalty of life in prison. If you have been charged with kidnapping, you need an experienced defense attorney on your side. Attorney Steve Graham can provide that experience and the aggressive defense that you need. Mr. Graham has 25 years experience and has worked throughout the state of Washington. The offense of Kidnapping is split into two different levels.

Lawyer for Kidnapping in the First Degree

First Degree Kidnapping can be committed in various ways under Washington law, and is defined as an intentional abduction with the intent to 1) hold a person for ransom or as a hostage, 2) to facilitate the commission of any felony, 3) to inflict bodily injury or emotional distress, or 4) to interfere with any government function. This offense is a class A felony with a possible sentence of up to life in a state prison and a 50,000 dollar fine. The standard range sentence for this offense is 51 to 68 months prison time for an individual with no criminal history. Added penalties can be added if the offense is a crime of domestic violence, i.e. committed against a family member or domestic partner. Under Washington law, the term "abduct" means to restrain a person by either holding the person in a place where that person is not likely to be found or using or threatening to use deadly force against the victim.

Attorney for Kidnapping in the Second Degree

Second Degree Kidnapping is charged when a kidnapping is alleged but the defendant is not accused of holding the victim for ransom or inflicting injury. The term "injury" is defined broadly as "physical pain or injury, illness, or any impairment of physical condition." This offense is a class B felony with a possible sentence of up to 10 years prison. The standard range punishment for this offense is 6 to 12 months in the county jail for a person with no felony criminal history. However, this offense is considered a “strike” for purposes of the three-strikes laws. In addition, while Kidnapping in the Second Degree does not bring the same mandatory lengthy prison sentences, it may mean that the defendant has to register after being convicted in the same manner as a sex offender would. In addition, weapon enhancements could be added to this crime, i.e. 18 months for a deadly weapon or 36 months for a firearm.

Attorney for Unlawful Imprisonment Charge

Under Washington law, Unlawful Imprisonment is the offense of restraining someone against their will. This offense is a class C felony with a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, and a fine of $10,000. The standard range sentence for a person with no felony priors is 1 to 3 months in the county jail. This offense is often added along with a domestic violence assault. Arguably whenever one person grabs another person he or she is "restraining" them, so defense lawyers often see these charges filed under surprising circumstances. Prosecutors often use such charges for bargaining power in plea negotiations.

Lawyer for Custodial Interference

Custodial Interference is charged when a parent or relative takes a child away from the person with lawful custody. The laws on this subject are quite complex, and there are additional legal requirements that the defendant have acted with intent to hold the child for a substantial period of time, or that he exposed the child to risks, or that he removed the child from the state. Additional factors apply depending on what court orders were in effect on the subject of custody and visitation. Custodial Interference in the First Degree is a class C felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Custodial Interference in the Second Degree is usually charged as a gross misdemeanor and is thus punishable by up to one year in the county jail. A custodial interference charge is often coupled with a divorce or legal separation custody battle. Our firm does not provide legal representation on divorce proceedings - we only defend criminal charges.

An Aggressive Defense Lawyer is Needed

With such cases as discussed above, prosecuting attorneys have a habit of “overcharging” or filing complaints on the most serious form of kidnapping or custodial interference possible. A skilled defense lawyer is needed to properly defend against such allegations.

When you meet with attorney Steve Graham for a free consultation, he will look at the specific charges brought, and can properly advise you as to how he can best provide an effective defense. Because of his training and experience, lawyer Steve Graham can defend people in an innovative and thorough manner. These serious allegations call for a criminal defense lawyer that is aggressive and dedicated to your defense. Avoiding convictions is always the goal that Steve Graham has for his clients.