Kidnapping: penalties in each state
Taking or holding a person against their will, often to demand money, to commit another crime, or while armed.
What to look for: Releasing the victim unharmed lowers the grade in some states.
These are statutory ranges for a first offence, from the least to the most the law allows. A court decides the actual sentence in each case. Not legal advice.
9 states covered so far
Arizona
1 to 3.75 years (victim released unharmed) up to 3 to 12.5 years
Show the degrees and the statutes
Kidnapping, where the victim is released voluntarily without injury in a safe place before arrest (Class 4 felony)
- Least
- 1 year
- Most
- 3.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 2.5 years, between 1.5 and 3 years; 1 year if mitigated and 3.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Kidnapping (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702). If it is a dangerous offence, the range is 7 to 21 years (§ 13-704).
California
3 to 8 years, up to life, with or without parole
Show the degrees and the statutes
Kidnapping (Felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 8 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000, where the offence sets no fine (§ 672)
Three possible terms set by the statute: 3, 5 or 8. The court chooses among them. If the victim was under 14: 5, 8 or 11 years (§ 208(b)).
Kidnapping to commit robbery, rape or certain other crimes (Felony)
- Least
- Life with the possibility of parole
- Most
- Life with the possibility of parole
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000, where the offence sets no fine (§ 672)
Kidnapping for ransom, reward or extortion (Felony)
- Least
- Life with the possibility of parole
- Most
- Life without the possibility of parole
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000, where the offence sets no fine (§ 672)
Life without parole if the victim suffers death or bodily harm, or is confined in a way that exposes them to a substantial likelihood of death. Otherwise life with the possibility of parole.
Florida
Up to life imprisonment
Show the degrees and the statutes
Kidnapping (Felony of the first degree)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- A term of years up to life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
A first-degree felony punishable by a term of years up to life.
Iowa
Up to 10 years (third degree) to life without parole (first degree)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Kidnapping in the third degree (Class C felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 10 years
- Fine
- Fine of $1,370 to $13,660
Kidnapping in the second degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 25 years
Where the purpose is ransom, the kidnapper is armed with a dangerous weapon, or the victim is under 18.
Kidnapping in the first degree (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Life imprisonment, with no parole unless the Governor commutes the sentence
Maryland
Up to 30 years
Show the degrees and the statutes
Kidnapping (Felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 30 years
New York
Up to 4 years (unlawful imprisonment) up to life (kidnapping in the first degree)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree (Class E felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 4 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to the higher of $5,000 or double the gain from the crime (§ 80.00)
A non-violent felony carries an indeterminate sentence. The court sets the maximum, and the minimum is at least 1 year and no more than one-third of the maximum (§ 70.00).
Kidnapping in the second degree (Class B violent felony)
- Least
- 5 years
- Most
- 25 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to the higher of $5,000 or double the gain from the crime (§ 80.00)
Kidnapping in the first degree (Class A-I felony)
- Least
- A life sentence with a minimum of at least 15 years
- Most
- Life, with a minimum of up to 25 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to the higher of $5,000 or double the gain from the crime (§ 80.00)
Texas
2 to 10 years (kidnapping) up to 5 to 99 years, or life (aggravated kidnapping)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Kidnapping (Felony of the third degree)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
Aggravated kidnapping, where the victim is voluntarily released in a safe place (Felony of the second degree)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 20 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
The defendant must prove release in a safe place at the punishment stage.
Aggravated kidnapping (Felony of the first degree)
- Least
- 5 years
- Most
- 99 years, or life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
Virginia
1 to 10 years, or jail (abduction) up to 20 years to life (abduction for gain, or of a minor)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Abduction (Class 5 felony)
- Least
- 1 year in prison, or no prison term if the court chooses jail instead
- Most
- 10 years, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500
Abduction for which no other punishment is prescribed.
Abduction of a minor (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 20 years
- Most
- Life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $100,000
Abduction of a minor is punished as a Class 2 felony, with exceptions in § 18.2-47(D).
Abduction for ransom or pecuniary benefit, or with intent to defile (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 20 years
- Most
- Life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $100,000
Washington
Up to 10 years (second degree) up to life (first degree)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Kidnapping in the second degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 10 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $20,000
A Class A felony if there is a finding of sexual motivation.
Kidnapping in the first degree (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Life imprisonment
- Fine
- Fine of up to $50,000
Other states are being added. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
