Understanding False Imprisonment Georgia

In Georgia, a person commits the offense of false imprisonment when they unlawfully detain someone against their will. You may face false imprisonment charges anytime you hold a person without legal authority. False imprisonment violates someone’s personal liberty and fundamental civil rights. It is an intentional civil wrong that gives rise to claims for damages under Georgia law.

Although some similarities exist, false imprisonment differs from kidnapping and false arrests. Kidnapping involves the movement of a person without legal authority. In contrast, a false arrest is unlawfully detaining someone concerning the commission of an alleged crime. False imprisonment involves confining a person in a certain area and preventing them from leaving. But preventing someone from entering a specific place is not false imprisonment.

False imprisonment may arise from using words or actions that do not involve physical violence. It is enough that your victim believed they would suffer harm if they left the area. Some common examples of false imprisonment in Georgia include:

• Using verbal threats to confine a person

• Using physical force to restrain someone without probable cause

• Preventing someone from leaving their home

• Locking someone up in their room

• A store owner detaining a theft suspect for an unreasonable amount of time

You may have an actionable false imprisonment claim brought against you for any of the above acts. Sometimes, false imprisonment cases arise from issues of domestic violence. Discussing with a domestic violence attorney who can help your case is important.

Getting charged with false imprisonment in Georgia may be devastating. However, there are certain defenses available to fight your criminal charges, including:

• Lack of Intent: Before a conviction for false imprisonment, you must have an intent to detain the victim. If imprisonment took place without your knowledge, you may have a good defense. For example, locking someone in a building without knowing they were still on the premises.

• Consent: If the victim was aware of the confinement, they cannot argue for false imprisonment. For instance, a victim agrees to be confined due to mental illness.

• Acting in good faith: If you only act in good faith, it may serve as a good defense. For instance, confining a person because they wanted to harm themselves.

• Imprisonment was lawful: The defendant confined the victim after they committed an offense while alerting the police. For example, detaining someone who stole something from a shop may not qualify as false imprisonment. But, you must prove to the court that the confinement was reasonable.

• There was a reasonable way out: There may be no confinement without a reasonable means to escape. For example, being locked up in a house with open windows.

• The victim was unaware of the confinement: A victim without any idea of their detainment cannot argue false imprisonment.

• The victim was not confined: Not letting someone go where they want to is not enough proof of confinement. For example, sending a person another way is not false imprisonment if the road is closed due to a parade.

False imprisonment charges can affect your job, reputation and separate you from your family. Hiring a competent criminal attorney is essential to increase your chances of acquittal. The right attorney can make or break your case. At Conoscienti and Ledbetter, we are aware of the consequences of a false imprisonment charge. We will fight to protect your rights and help you avoid a conviction.

Our civil lawyer in Atlanta can investigate your case and evaluate the options available. We can interview witnesses who were present and legally represent you in court. We can fight to dismiss your charges by arguing that the prosecution lacks sufficient evidence. If a guilty verdict is not possible, we can negotiate with the prosecution to reduce your charges.

Contact us today if you suspect you or a loved one has suffered harm from false imprisonment.