What must a person knowingly do to be charged with Interfering With Custody?

To be charged with Interfering With Custody, an individual must knowingly interfere with the custody of another person without having the legal right or privilege to do so. This means the action taken must be intentional and unlawful in the context of custody arrangements.

The concept of "interfering with custody" generally entails actions that disrupt or negate the custody rights of a parent or legal guardian, such as taking a child from their lawful custodian or preventing a custodian from having contact with the child. The key aspect is the absence of privilege; if a person has legal grounds or permission to take those actions, they would not be committing an offense.

Being related to the child or using physical force may be relevant in specific cases but are not requirements for the charge. Informing law enforcement could even demonstrate an awareness of the legal boundaries but does not negate the need for the actions to be conducted without privilege to qualify as interference. Thus, the focus on knowingly acting without lawful authority is crucial in establishing this particular charge.