What is the Difference Between Abduction and Kidnapping?

Abduction and kidnapping are both crimes involving the unlawful taking or detention of a person, but they have some differences:

1. Intent: Kidnapping is the taking away of a person by force, threat, or deceit, with the intent to cause the person to be detained against their will, often for ransom or other purposes. Abduction, on the other hand, is the criminal taking away of a person by persuasion, fraud, or open force or violence.
2. Deception: Unlike kidnapping, abduction does not require the use of deception.
3. Ransom: Kidnapping often involves a demand for ransom or financial gain, while abduction does not.
4. Child Victims: The biggest difference between child abduction and kidnapping is that the victim doesn't have to be a child in order to constitute kidnapping.

Both crimes are considered felonies, and the penalties for conviction are severe. For example, child abduction can result in up to four years in prison and fines up to $10,000, while kidnapping can lead to imprisonment for between three and eight years. The penalties can be even harsher if the victim was under 14 years of age or if the crime involved other aggravating factors.

Comparative Table: Abduction vs Kidnapping

The main differences between abduction and kidnapping are the intent behind the crime and the presence of ransom. Here is a table comparing the two:

Both abduction and kidnapping are serious felony crimes, and the specific charges and punishments may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the details of the case.