Article 135 Kidnapping, Coercion, and Related Offenses | Penal Law 135.65

New York Coercion in the First Degree Lawyer

Coercion in the first degree is a felony charge that can involve serious allegations about threats, injury, property damage, public exposure, or other pressure. These cases can carry major criminal and reputational consequences and often require careful handling of digital communications and complainant evidence.

Lebedin Kofman LLP represents clients in serious New York restraint, kidnapping, coercion, order-of-protection, domestic-related, and sensitive criminal investigations across New York City, Nassau County, and Suffolk County.

Call 646-663-4430 or contact the firm for a confidential consultation.

Issues that may matter

felony coercion theory
threat content and context
digital communications
intent and causation
complainant actions
property or injury allegations
orders of protection
grand jury and trial posture

Defense approach

These cases often depend on context. Defense work may include preserving messages, phone records, location data, video, witness accounts, 911 calls, body-camera footage, and records showing the actual relationship between the people involved. The defense may also need to address orders of protection, employment or licensing concerns, immigration issues, and whether prosecutors are overcharging a disputed encounter.

In serious felony cases, early strategy can affect bail, grand jury presentation, negotiation, suppression issues, and whether the case is positioned for dismissal, reduction, hearing, or trial.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I am accused of kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, or coercion?

Do not contact the complainant or discuss the allegations without counsel. Preserve texts, call logs, location data, video, and witness information, and speak with a defense attorney quickly.

Can these charges overlap with orders of protection or domestic cases?

Yes. Restraint and coercion allegations often overlap with domestic-related arrests, orders of protection, assault allegations, sex offense allegations, workplace disputes, school matters, or online communications.

Contact Lebedin Kofman LLP

If you are under investigation or charged with a kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, coercion, or related offense, call 646-663-4430 or contact Lebedin Kofman LLP.