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Kidnapping to Commit Rape Charges in California

Posted by Ronald D. Hedding | Dec 18, 2020

What is Required for Kidnapping for Purposes of Rape Under California Penal Code 209(b) PC? This is a very serious crime.  If somebody is convicted of Penal Code 209(b) PC aggravated kidnapping for purposes of rape, they are going to be facing a life sentence in Los Angeles county.

Aggravated kidnapping is the more severe charge of regular kidnapping defined under California Penal Code 207 PC. So, if you or a loved one is charged with this:

  • you want to know what the defenses are,
  • what the prosecutors have to prove, and
  • what the likelihood is that you are going to be convicted.

Penal Code 209 PC aggravated kidnapping is one of the most severe crimes in California. No one wants to spend a lifetime in prison, and a lot of times, there are defenses to these cases.

What Must a Prosecutor Prove for a PC 209(b) Conviction?

There's a whole slew of elements (CALCRIM 1203) that the prosecutors have to prove in these cases, but probably the biggest one is that whatever is happening:

Kidnapping to Commit Rape in California - Penal Code 209(b)
  • if there is some movement which is required of the alleged victim;
  • where the person is being moved from one location to another;
  • it has to be that the movement is above and beyond the actual rape that is purportedly taking place.

In other words, someone has to be grabbed, moved, and the reason they're moving that person is that they're going to try to rape them in a different location, and then you rape them.

That's going to be a kidnapping for rape.  So, that is the scenario right there.

Overzealous Prosecutors in Rape Cases

Of course, what ends up happening is that many different circumstances occur that are not that mold.  Often, prosecutors are trying to jam the situation into that mold.

Let's say, for example, somebody consensually agrees to go into the car, make out with the other person, and then they decide to move to another location to continue so nobody can see them. Both parties are consensual; then a rape ends up occurring.

That's not kidnapping for rape either because it was consensual when the person was moved.

Again, we need the prosecutor's scenario to prove this grave crime that the person is being moved to commit some sort of rape.

Other elements apply.  What I have people do is I have people come into my office.  If you're being investigated for kidnapping for rape or you're being charged with it, we will go through what the elements are.

We will go through what the prosecutors or police officers are claiming you did, and then we're going to match that up to what the prosecutors will have to prove in a trial.

Plea Bargain vs. Going to Trial

The reason we look at a trial is that that's the ultimate test when you're thinking about whether or not you're going to work out some plea bargain with

Plea Bargain vs. Going to Trial in California Rape Cases

The prosecutors or whether you're going to go to trial.

The biggest question we need to answer is, will you win?

If you're not going to win in kidnapping for the rape case, you want to resolve with the prosecutor because you're likely to get a life sentence in prison.

If you're innocent and it was consensual, you will take that case to trial.

But there are those kidnapping cases for purposes of rape in Los Angeles where it's not clear what happened.

It's mirky about whether or not it is kidnapping for rape versus just a rape case or versus a not guilty plea because the other person was consensual about what happened.

Defenses for Kidnapping for Rape Charges

Maybe they were drunk or intoxicated with some other substance, and then all of a sudden they snap-to, and somehow they think you've taken advantage of them when you did not take advantage of them.

Los Angeles Sex Crime Lawyer

That's a situation where you're going to need a great defense attorney by your side.

So, if you need help, if you're being charged with this grave crime of kidnapping for purposes of rape,

  • Penal Code Section 209 – aggravated kidnapping;
  • Penal Code Section 261 – rape.

These are the main sections for rape and kidnapping, pick up the phone.  Ask to speak to Ron Hedding.  I've been doing this for over 27 years as a criminal defense attorney.

I've had a lot of success defending people just like you.  Ask for a meeting.  We'll go over everything and get the case moving in the right direction.

Hedding Law Firm is a top-ranked criminal defense law firm located in Los Angeles County at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436. Contact our office for a free case evaluation at (213) 542-0979.

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About the Author

Ronald D. Hedding

What Makes Ronald Hedding Uniquely Qualified To Represent You? I've been practicing criminal defense for almost 30 years and have handled thousands of cases, including all types of state and federal sex crime cases. All consultations are discreet and confidential.

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Hedding Law Firm is committed to answering your questions about state or federal sex crime issues in California and throughout the United States.

I'll privately discuss your case with you at your convenience. All consultations are free, discreet, and confidential. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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