Kidnapping Criminal Defense Attorney in Lubbock

Former Federal Defender. 15+ Years Fighting Serious Felony Charges in Texas.

A kidnapping charge in Texas is one of the most serious felonies a person can face. Whether the accusation stems from a custody dispute, a domestic conflict, or an alleged stranger abduction, the charge carries prison time measured in years or decades and consequences that follow a conviction for life. At King Law, P.C., Attorney Michael King has defended clients at both the state and federal level for over 15 years, bringing courtroom experience that matters when the stakes are this high.

Federal charges are a real possibility in kidnapping cases that cross state lines or involve international elements. Michael King’s six years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas give our firm a working knowledge of federal court that most local defense attorneys don’t have. If you’ve been arrested or believe charges are coming, don’t wait.

King Law, P.C. offers a free case review for those facing kidnapping charges in Lubbock. Call (806) 370-7800 to speak with our team and start understanding your options today.

How Texas Law Defines Kidnapping

Texas Penal Code Chapter 20 governs kidnapping and related offenses, and the distinctions within that chapter matter enormously for how a case is charged and defended. Under section 20.03, kidnapping occurs when a person intentionally or knowingly abducts another person. “Abduct” has a specific legal meaning: it requires restraining someone with intent to prevent their liberation, either by hiding them where they’re unlikely to be found or by using or threatening deadly force. “Restrain” means restricting a person’s movements substantially, without consent, by moving or confining them. There’s no minimum distance requirement; holding a person briefly in a location where they won’t be found can satisfy the abduction element.

The three tiers of Texas restraint offenses:

• Unlawful restraint (Texas Penal Code section 20.02) – Can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the victim and circumstances
• Kidnapping (Texas Penal Code section 20.03) – A third-degree felony requiring proof of intent to abduct
• Aggravated kidnapping (Texas Penal Code section 20.04) – A first- or second-degree felony, charged when the accused allegedly intended to hold the victim for ransom, facilitate another felony, inflict bodily injury, or sexually abuse the victim, or when a deadly weapon was used or exhibited

Parental kidnapping situations are among the most commonly charged and often the most defensible. Texas law provides a narrow affirmative defense for relatives who abduct without deadly force and whose sole intent was to assume lawful control of the victim. That defense doesn’t apply in every family-related case, and its availability depends entirely on the specific facts.

What a Kidnapping Conviction Costs You in Texas

A standard kidnapping conviction under section 20.03 is a third-degree felony: two to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Aggravated kidnapping is a first-degree felony, carrying five to 99 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. One exception applies: if the defendant voluntarily releases the victim in a safe place, the charge may be reduced to a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years.

Lubbock County kidnapping cases are prosecuted by the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office and heard in the 137th, 140th, or 364th District Courts at the Lubbock County Courthouse on Broadway. Beyond the courtroom, a felony conviction under Texas Penal Code Title 5 can trigger a family violence finding, creating additional barriers around housing, custody, and future charges. Loss of firearm rights, professional license eligibility, voting rights, and a permanent criminal record are standard collateral consequences. Federal kidnapping charges, prosecuted in the Northern District of Texas, can carry mandatory minimum sentences and fewer plea options than state charges.

Defense Strategies for Kidnapping Charges

The prosecution must prove every element of kidnapping beyond a reasonable doubt. Creating reasonable doubt on any single element, whether intent, the nature of the restraint, or the absence of consent, can be enough to defeat the charge. We conduct a thorough case evaluation before recommending any strategy, because the right defense depends on the specific facts.

Common defenses we examine in kidnapping cases include:

• Consent – If the alleged victim voluntarily accompanied the defendant without force, intimidation, or deception, the unlawful restraint element may not be satisfied
• Lack of intent – Kidnapping requires intentional or knowing conduct; evidence that the accused lacked the required mental state can undercut the charge
• False accusation or mistaken identity – Custody disputes and personal conflicts can produce accusations unsupported by the evidence
• Alibi – Placing the defendant elsewhere when the alleged offense occurred
• Statutory affirmative defense – For relatives whose sole intent was lawful control and who didn’t use or threaten deadly force, Texas Penal Code section 20.03(b) provides a specific affirmative defense
• Suppression of evidence – Statements taken without proper Miranda warnings or evidence obtained through unlawful searches may be excludable, which can significantly affect the prosecution’s case

Attorney Michael King has represented clients through detention hearings, probation revocations, and jury trials in courts across both the Northern and Western Districts of Texas. That range of experience means we understand how a kidnapping case can move from state court to federal court and what each setting demands from the defense.

Why Lubbock Residents Charged with Kidnapping Call King Law, P.C.

Michael King served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas from 2007 to 2013, representing clients in Lubbock, Amarillo, San Angelo, Abilene, Midland, Odessa, and Pecos. That position required handling a wide range of serious criminal matters in federal court: navigating sentencing guidelines, detention hearings, and complex multi-defendant cases. When a kidnapping charge carries the possibility of federal prosecution, that background is directly relevant.

Federal kidnapping cases, including international parental kidnapping under federal statute, operate under different rules than state proceedings. Sentencing guidelines are stricter, plea options are narrower, and the procedural landscape is unfamiliar to attorneys who practice only in state court. Our firm has tried cases and worked toward not-guilty verdicts in both state and federal courts across the region. King Law, P.C. holds top ratings from Avvo, reflecting the professional standards our clients experience throughout their representation.

Start Your Kidnapping Defense Today

The period immediately after an arrest is critical. Decisions made in the first hours and days, about bail, about what to say, and about preserving evidence can shape the entire case. The sooner you have a kidnapping criminal defense attorney in Lubbock involved, the more options may remain available.

King Law, P.C. offers a free case review for anyone facing kidnapping charges in Lubbock or anywhere in Texas. Attorney Michael King brings over 15 years of experience in both state and federal court and can evaluate your situation and outline a path forward.

Call (806) 370-7800 to schedule your free case review with King Law, P.C. today.