Which statement best describes common law false imprisonment?

Which statement best describes common law false imprisonment?

• A. It requires general intent
• B. Confining another
• C. It requires moving the victim
• D. It requires injury

Answer: (B)

False imprisonment centers on restraining a person’s freedom of movement without legal justification. The key element is confinement, not injury or moving the person. Confining another captures that idea directly: intentionally restricting someone to a bounded area or preventing their escape without lawful authority. It can be by physical force, threats, or unlawful use of authority, and it can occur even if the person isn’t touched or harmed. Injury isn’t required, and needing to move the victim isn’t a separate element—confinement itself is enough.

False imprisonment centers on restraining a person’s freedom of movement without legal justification. The key element is confinement, not injury or moving the person.

Confining another captures that idea directly: intentionally restricting someone to a bounded area or preventing their escape without lawful authority. It can be by physical force, threats, or unlawful use of authority, and it can occur even if the person isn’t touched or harmed. Injury isn’t required, and needing to move the victim isn’t a separate element—confinement itself is enough.