In Pennsylvania, it simply means the unlawful restraint of another person that substantially interferes with that person's liberty or freedom. What Is False Imprisonment?A person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree if he knowingly restrains another unlawfully so as to interfere substantially with his liberty. False imprisonment is the intentional and unlawful act of restricting someone else's freedom of movement. It differs from kidnapping. False imprisonment involves someone attempting to cause a bodily injury to another. Get protection from abuse today. The plaintiff's claim in a warrantless false arrest lawsuit arose from a sheriff s deputy s visit to her house to check on the welfare of her daughter. False imprisonment; Conduct which would place a person in reasonable fear of imminent serious bodily injury (stalking, threats of physical harm). (a) Offense defined.