Though a serious felony, an unlawful imprisonment charge does not mean the offender possessed malice in detaining the victim. A person can be charged with unlawful imprisonment if they use threats of violence or deceive the other party in some way.How does Arizona law define "unlawful imprisonment"? The prosecution and courts may seek harsher penalties if the case involves violence, fraud, deceit and additional violations of the law. . It's crucial to seek a lawyer experienced in Arizona's violent crime laws to ensure your rights are protected. Domestic violence in Arizona is defined under Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 13-3601. Domestic abuse is a more comprehensive term that includes physical violence and emotional and psychological abuse that can occur within a relationship. Custodial interference; child born out of wedlock; defenses; classification. 13-1303; Unlawful imprisonment; classification; definition. When someone is charged with false imprisonment, they stand accused in a court of law of forcefully detaining another individual in a bounded area.