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6: Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, and Child Abduction

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    69133

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    Learning Objectives
    • Distinguish between the crime of kidnapping and the crime of false imprisonment, from a provided scenario.
    • Examine the crime of child abduction.
    • Explain the difference between lawful custodian and right to custody.
    • Review the Elizabeth Smart child abduction case and identify key elements of the investigation.

    • 6.1: Kidnapping
      This page defines kidnapping under California law, focusing on types such as forcible abduction and abduction for illicit purposes. It highlights the crime's essential elements: victim confinement and asportation, which can differ by jurisdiction. The page also emphasizes the specific intent necessary for the crime, noting that the defendant must intend to harm, confine, or exploit the victim.
    • 6.2: False Imprisonment
      This page discusses false imprisonment under California Penal Code section 236, defining it as the unlawful constraint of a person's freedom, viewed as a lesser offense than kidnapping due to fewer required elements and milder penalties. An example involving Thomas and Shawna illustrates the concept, emphasizing that false imprisonment requires no movement of the victim and can be established with general intent.
    • 6.3: Child Abduction
      This page provides legal definitions concerning child abduction under California law, clarifying terms like "child," "custody," and "visitation." It discusses custody rights, changes in these rights, and includes the case of Elizabeth Smart, detailing the timeline, investigation, and conviction of her abductor, Brian David Mitchell. The summary emphasizes the psychological and legal complexities inherent in child abduction cases.
    • 6.4: Chapter Summary
      This page covers the legal definitions of kidnapping and false imprisonment, noting that kidnapping involves both confinement and movement, while false imprisonment only entails restraint. It also defines child abduction concerning minors and highlights the susceptibility of marginalized groups, such as Native Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities, to human trafficking.

    This page titled 6: Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, and Child Abduction was last modified on Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:42:39 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by George Cartwright.