California Penal Code § 236 PC defines false imprisonment as unlawfully restraining, detaining, or confining a person against his or her will. At its most basic, false imprisonment in California is "the unlawful violation of the personal liberty of another.Imprisonment claim requires proof of: an intentional confinement of the person; without the person's consent; Find an attorney immediately from a different county than the one you were arrested. Make sure they specialize in police misconduct OR have a lot of guts. Under California Penal Code Section 236, false imprisonment occurs when a person is detained, restrained, or confined without consent. In California, Penal Code 236 defines false imprisonment as the wrongful restraining, confining, or detaining of a person without their consent. Current through the 2024 Legislative Session. False imprisonment is a wobbler offense. This means that a prosecutor can charge you with a misdemeanor or felony.