RI Domestic Kidnapping Attorney
RI Custody & Parental Kidnapping Laws
In regard to child custody in Rhode Island, one or both parties may not agree to the terms determined by a judge. Sometimes, one parent or legal guardian may have possession of their child longer than expected or go so far as to kidnap the child, although they do not believe they are doing such a thing. However, it is still considered a crime, especially when a person fails to comply or violates court orders and custodial/visitation rights.
If you are accused of child snatching, our RI domestic kidnapping lawyer at The Law Office of Thomas C. Thomasian, Esq. is committed to helping you fight these charges against you. Whether it’s because your failure to return a child was due to circumstances out of your control or some other incident, he can provide you with the experienced and skilled legal representation necessary to protect your rights and reputation.
Discuss your case in a free consultation with our team today!
Client Testimonials
Your Success is Our Success
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"Tom was great!"
Tom was great, he made sure I knew what to expect at all times. He was always straight foward and continued to reassure me thoughtout the court process, he made a very stressful situation as smooth as possible! Would 150% recommend him to anyone in need of a great lawyer!- Britney -
"Utmost professionalism and results."
Tom’s work on my behalf was invaluable and I am very grateful for his help and services. When I first met with Tom during our consultation, he was extremely informative, professional and reassuring. He also proved to be prescient, as the process of my situation unfolded exactly as he had told me it would. Tom was easily accessible and available for follow up and/or any questions that arose. He was able to secure great results to resolve my situation. In short, Tom was excellent! I’m lucky and grateful for the services and results!- Edward -
"Easily one of the best lawyers to work with!"
Tom was exceptional to work with, he exceeded all my expectations. He was always on time and returned my calls or messages fast! He was highly knowledgeable about the law and all the dealings and procedures of my case and all the other questions that I had for him. I highly recommend using Tom for all your legal needs. I hope to never have any legal issues again but in the case I do, I know I have a lawyer I can trust and I wouldn't go to anyone else!- Kevin -
"The BEST Attorney!!!"
I had an incident happen to me & I found Tom just by accident....He was there for me from start to finish....Can't say enough about this guy...if you are EVER in a legal situation....You will come out a better person. I have !!- Patti
RI Parental Kidnapping Definition and Penalties
According to Rhode Island General Laws, child snatching is defined as taking a child under 18 years of age with intent to deny another party’s right of custody based on an existing decree or family court order. Those charged with child snatching shall be charged with a felony. You could completely lose what child custody rights you have now.
Penalties for child snatching may include:
- A maximum prison sentence of 2 years
- A fine of up to $10,000
If you are accused of domestic child snatching, you have to take the accusations seriously. If you have other marks on your criminal record, especially some pertaining to domestic violence, it is possible that your penalties could be worsened.
Get The Info You Need
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Understanding Your ChargesLearn more about the severity of your charge as it relates to the Rhode Island legal system.
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What To Do After You're ArrestedDepending on your charge, it's important to know what to expect as you move through the legal process.
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Defending Your Rights 24/7Criminal accusations can happen at anytime. Our team is available day or night to help defend your rights.
Legal Defenses for Parental Kidnapping
However, our RI domestic kidnapping lawyer can use the following as affirmative defenses for child snatching:
- The defendant had possessed legal visitation rights or lawful custody which was ordered by the court
- The defendant was retreating an occurrence or pattern of domestic violence
- The defendant couldn’t return the child in a timely manner due to unforeseeable and uncontrollable circumstances, despite attempting to contact or inform the other party
- The defendant made an attempt to return the child within 24 hours after visitation was complete
Experienced, Skilled & Trustworthy Legal Representation
Sometimes, a child-snatching case can be construed as a miscommunication between both parties or as complicated as denying a parent’s rights to their child. Our RI domestic kidnapping lawyer possesses the in-depth understanding of the state laws and court processes in order to help you get your charges reduced or completely dismissed. Not only can conviction result in prison time and expensive fines, but also the loss of custody of your child.
Contact The Law Office of Thomas C. Thomasian and schedule your free consultation today.
