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Standing Up For What I Knew Was Right

One day when I was driving on the freeway, I was completely blindsided by another car pummeling down the hill. I didn't know what to do or what went wrong, but I knew things were bad. I couldn't feel my feet at first, and my face was covered in liquid that turned out to be blood. When the ambulance arrived I could see the concern on their faces, and it was frustrating to know what was about to come. Fortunately, I was able to get great medical care, and talk with a personal injury attorney that helped me to sort out everything else. Read this website to find out how accident attorneys can help you to make a difference in your own life.

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Standing Up For What I Knew Was Right

Are You Free To Go? Understand What False Imprisonment Really Means

by Dylan Tucker

When you are prohibited from leaving a location, it's not just scary or annoying; it actually could be both a crime and a personal injury. Read on to how you can file suit against someone who prevented your free movement.

Where is the money?

While this offense can mean criminal charges, you are not likely to be paid money damages through the criminal court system. This type of crime provides victims with the ability to see justice done in ways few other situations do. If the person who unlawfully detained you was charged with a crime, the criminal courts will have their way and punishment will be meted out. You can also sue the person who held you and be paid monetary damages if you win your case.

What does false imprisonment mean?

You might be picturing someone holding onto you physically, tying you up, or locking you in a room. All of those things can mean false imprisonment but the elements of force, violence, and physical contact are not needed or necessary for it to be false imprisonment. Here are a few examples of false imprisonment that may surprise you:

1. Someone threatens to do harm to your loved ones if you do not comply with remaining at a location.

2. The perpetrator tells you that a bomb will explode if you move from your chair.

3. You are forced to remain at a location because you fear the loss of property, such as a purse, wallet, or cell phone.

4. You are locked in a room and cannot leave or you believe you cannot leave.

5. You are detained by law enforcement without being read your Miranda Rights.

6. You are sedated against your will.

When it's not false imprisonment

Not all cases of being held against your will qualify as false imprisonment. For example, the following examples are not false imprisonment:

1. You are placed in a room and told to remain, but the door is open and you are obviously free to leave.

2. You have been placed under arrest but you were found "not guilty" after a trial.

3. Someone holds your arm lightly to detain you, but it takes no effort at all to remove the arm and leave the area.

4. You have been accused of shoplifting and are detained for a short period of time.

Some of the above cases, both false imprisonment and not, can quickly cross the line. Even if you only suspect that you have been falsely imprisoned, take the time to have your case evaluated by a personal injury attorney service.

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