Example and Hypothetical Scenario. Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree is a New York criminal offense imposing harsh penalties on anyone who restrains another person.The law generally requires that the guilty plea be vacated in order to bring forth state and federal challenges to the validity of an arrest:. False imprisonment occurs when a person intentionally and illegally restrains another person's ability to move freely. Michael King was arrested on April 22, 1999 on the corner of 29th Avenue and Gilmore Street in Queens County, New York. Under our law, a person is guilty of Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree when he or she restrains another person. Gerry Thomas spent nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. And while Mr. Thomas, who was exonerated in Detroit on Jan. A peace officer may make a valid arrest without a warrant in certain circumstances other than those set out in this instruction. In NC, false imprisonment is the unlawful restrain or detainment of an individual without their consent.