The most common defense is consent. In other words, the victim voluntarily agreed to being confined.
Penalties for Penal Code 236 False Imprisonment If convicted of a PC 236 felony crime, you could spend up to three years in a California state prison and be fined up to $10,000. It should be noted that if the victim was elderly or dependent, the sentence could increase to four years.
While falsely imprisoning someone is a criminal offense, it can also be brought in civil court to compensate the victim for any harm the perpetrator does.
To prove a false imprisonment claim as a tort in a civil lawsuit, the following elements must be present: There was a willful detention; The detention was without consent; and. The detention was unlawful.
Misdemeanor false imprisonment can result in penalties of up to one year in prison and fines reaching $1,000. In contrast, felony charges carry far graver consequences, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison and fines reaching $10,000.
False imprisonment generally refers to the confinement of a person without the consent of such person or without legal authority. For example, if a person wrongfully prevents another from leaving a room or vehicle when that person wants to leave, it amounts to false imprisonment.