False imprisonment occurs when you unlawfully deprive another person of his or her personal liberty. Misdemeanor false imprisonment occurs if the offense does not involve violence, fraud, deceit, or menace.The offense carries a jail sentence of up to one year. 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. California Penal Code § 236 PC defines false imprisonment as unlawfully restraining, detaining, or confining a person against his or her will. California law makes it illegal to restrain, detain or confine someone without their consent. Doing so is the crime of "false imprisonment." People have the right under California law to be protected from bodily restraint. If you have been charged with false imprisonment, Chesley Lawyers identify defense strategies, and aggressively protect your rights in court if necessary.