False Imprisonment Attorney

The Law Offices of Leon Matchin, LLC have been representing those accused of criminal offenses; including false imprisonment, for more than ten years. Under New Jersey statute N.J.S.A. 2C:13-3, if you knowingly restrain another person in an unlawful manner (substantially interfering with that person’s liberty) you can be convicted of false/unlawful imprisonment.

False Imprisonment Penalties

False imprisonment is a disorderly person’s offense. As such if convicted, you could face the following penalties:

• • up to 6 months in jail
  • fines up to $1,000
  • A criminal record (requiring an expungement)
  • possible community service
  • possible assessment fees to the Violent Crimes Compensation Board

The charges must be dismissed, however, if the person restrained was a minor child, the accused was a relative or legal guardian of the child, and the sole purpose was to assume control of the child. The defendant may also argue that he or she acted under good faith belief that they had a duty to restrain the individual.

If a dismissal is not attainable the next best possible strategy would be a plea to the municipal ordinance, which will prevent the accused from sustaining the stigma that a criminal offense attaches to one’s record.

Charged with False Imprisonment

If you have been charged with false/unlawful imprisonment, call The Law Offices of Leon Matchin, LLC today at (732) 887-2479 for a free consultation. Our law firm has more than ten years of experience handling criminal cases throughout Central New Jersey. Let our expertise save your freedom and protect your rights.

* This charge should not be confused with criminal restraint wherein the victim has been exposed to serious bodily injury