False Imprisonment

Legal Definition

A person commits false imprisonment by intentionally confining or restraining another person without their consent and without lawful authority. The offense involves knowingly restricting someone's freedom of movement by force, threat, or deception. False imprisonment is classified as a fourth degree felony, punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.

Possible Punishment

False imprisonment is a fourth degree felony punishable by up to 18 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.

Violent-Crime Cases in Doña Ana County

Violent charges are where New Mexico's pretrial system shows its teeth. For serious felony cases (aggravated battery, armed robbery, homicide), the District Attorney frequently files a pretrial detention motion asking the Third Judicial District Court to hold the defendant with no possibility of release. That is why some people in our booking feed are released within a day while others charged under the same statute stay in custody until trial.

Many bookings in this category involve household members, which triggers additional consequences: no-contact release conditions, orders of protection, and, after a qualifying conviction, a federal firearm prohibition. Charges listed at booking are the arresting officer's charges; the DA decides what is actually filed, and amendments are common in violent-crime cases as evidence develops.

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