Texas Criminal Attorney
Kidnapping Charges
Kidnapping is a serious crime that has grave consequences, particularly in Texas. While the charge is always a felony, the specifics of your case will determine if you will be tried in state or federal courts. Because the crime can be handled in both court levels, it is important to always work with a top Dallas criminal attorney that has experience working in both state and federal courts.
If a kidnapping victim is believed to have been taken over state lines, or if they have gone missing for more than 48 hours, the FBI will likely get involved with the investigation. These investigators are the cream of the crop and are exceptionally adept at gathering evidence and tracking down suspects. If your case involved the FBI, you will likely be facing a great deal of evidence against you, which is why it is critical that your Dallas criminal lawyer is willing to do everything possible to present other evidence in your favor while attempting to prove their evidence is inconclusive.
Although the FBI is quite good at uncovering evidence, they are people and are prone to making mistakes. Additionally, they often end up conflicting with the local police department when it comes to investigations. For these reasons, it is very common for the evidence in kidnapping cases to become contaminated or to be illegally obtained. With the help of a skilled Dallas criminal attorney, much of the evidence against you may be found inadmissible depending on your situation.
In Texas, kidnapping is a third-degree felony, punishable by ten years in prison. If the victim was assaulted, threatened, used as a shield or held for ransom though, the crime will become a second-degree felony instead. That means you could be facing life imprisonment. These penalties are very serious and should only be fought with an experienced Dallas criminal lawyer.
If you have been accused of kidnapping, please call The Law Offices of James Alston and schedule your initial consultation.
Mr. Alston represents clients facing criminal charges in every federal and state court across our nation and throughout the state of Texas, including Harris County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, Montgomery County, Galveston County, Waller County, Polk County, Jefferson County, and Liberty County.
Houston Criminal Attorney James Alston is committed to protecting and defending his client’s legal rights. His goal is to pursue a favorable outcome by reducing or, in some cases, complete dismissal of the charges.