Official Text
“Whoever kidnaps any person with intent to cause that person to be secretly and wrongfully confined, or to compel that person to marry against his or her will.”
Legal Analysis
Elements to Prove:
- Kidnapping any person.
- Intent to confine or compel marriage.
- Against person's will.
Potential Defenses:
- Consent to marriage.
- Lawful guardianship.
- No intent to compel.
Practical Examples
What Constitutes the Offense:
Abducting for forced marriage, confining to compel marriage, kidnapping for marital coercion.
What Doesn't Constitute:
Arranged marriages with consent, lawful guardianship, or authorized custody.
Punishment
Imprisonment up to 10 years, and Fine