Los Angeles County Criminal Lawyer Blog

Joe Francis, known for creating "Girls Gone Wild" videos, turned himself in to the Los Angeles Police Department Pacific Division recently for involvement in a misdemeanor false imprisonment case. The Los Angeles Times reports that Francis arrived at the police station with his attorney and bail bondsman. Although details of the case have not been released, Francis will reportedly be booked and released on $50,000 bail. A second suspect from Valley Village also turned himself in to authorities.

This isn't Francis' first run-in with the law. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of filing false tax returns for withholding $500,000 in interest income and bribing jail workers for food by providing them with about $5,000 in goods. As a result, he was required to pay almost $250,000 in reimbursement to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

False imprisonment, California Penal Code 236 PC, is not to be confused with improperly keeping a person in jail. False imprisonment charges are serious as they relate to the restraint, confinement, or detainment of another individual without their consent. A person may be charged with either misdemeanor or felony counts for false imprisonment in which a conviction could lead to steep fines, years behind bars, and other consequences.

Because the stakes are so high in a false imprisonment case, Los Angeles false imprisonment attorney Daniel Kann knows there is no time to waste in building a solid defense on your behalf. With years of experience defending the rights of those facing a wide range of criminal charges in Southern California, Mr. Kann will guide you through the complex legal process so that you can avoid jail time and clear your good name. To learn more about how the Law Offices of Daniel Kann can help, call 310-954-9356 for a free, confidential consultation.

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/joe-francis-second-suspect-tied-to-false-imprisonment-case.html