WomensLaw serves and supports all survivors, no matter their sex or gender.

Legal Information: Pennsylvania

Statutes: Pennsylvania

View all
Updated: 
December 14, 2023

2902. Unlawful restraint

(a) Offense defined.– Except as provided under subsection (b) or (c), a person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if he knowingly:

(1) restrains another unlawfully in circumstances exposing him to risk of serious bodily injury; or

(2) holds another in a condition of involuntary servitude.

(b) Unlawful restraint of a minor where offender is not victim’s parent.–If the victim is a person under 18 years of age, a person who is not the victim’s parent commits a felony of the second degree if he knowingly:

(1) restrains another unlawfully in circumstances exposing him to risk of serious bodily injury; or

(2) holds another in a condition of involuntary servitude.

(c) Unlawful restraint of minor where offender is victim’s parent.–If the victim is a person under 18 years of age, a parent of the victim commits a felony of the second degree if he knowingly:

(1) restrains another unlawfully in circumstances exposing him to risk of serious bodily injury; or

(2) holds another in a condition of involuntary servitude.

(d) Definition.–As used in this section the term “parent” means a natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent or guardian of a minor.