New York criminal charge
Kidnapping in the first degree in New York
Kidnapping in the first degree is a Class A-I Felony under New York criminal law, defined by N.Y. Penal Law § 135.25. As a Class A-I Felony, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range New York sets for that offense class. New York classifies offenses as felonies (classes A-I and A-II through E), misdemeanors (classes A and B, plus unclassified), violations, and traffic infractions — and a violation or traffic infraction is not a crime (N.Y. Penal Law § 10.00(6); N.Y. Vehicle & Traffic Law § 155). Felony sentences divide into indeterminate and determinate schemes depending on the offense (N.Y. Penal Law §§ 70.00, 70.02).
Defined by N.Y. Penal Law § 135.25.
What is the penalty for kidnapping in the first degree in New York?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | indeterminate sentence with a maximum of life imprisonment (PEN 70.00(2)(a)); minimum period 15–25 years (PEN 70.00(3)(a)(i); murder in the first degree 20–25 years; certain offenses carry life without parole under PEN 70.00(5)); class A-I drug felonies sentence under PEN 70.71 instead | mandatory | N.Y. Penal Law § 70.00 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (or up to double the defendant's gain from the crime (PEN 80.00(1)); does not apply to corporations (PEN 80.00(4), 80.10)) | discretionary | N.Y. Penal Law § 70.00 |
Applies to current.
Common questions about kidnapping in the first degree in New York
What class of felony is kidnapping in the first degree in New York?
What are the penalties for kidnapping in the first degree in New York?
As a Class A-I Felony, kidnapping in the first degree carries indeterminate sentence with a maximum of life imprisonment (PEN 70.00(2)(a)); minimum period 15–25 years (PEN 70.00(3)(a)(i); murder in the first degree 20–25 years; certain offenses carry life without parole under PEN 70.00(5)); class A-I drug felonies sentence under PEN 70.71 instead of incarceration and a fine of up to $5,000 (the maximum authorized for the class) under N.Y. Penal Law § 70.00 (current).
Which New York statute covers kidnapping in the first degree?
Kidnapping in the first degree is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 135.25 (Kidnapping in the first degree).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.