What does "false imprisonment" mean?

The term "false imprisonment" refers specifically to the unlawful restraint of an individual's freedom of movement. This legal concept involves the intentional confinement of a person without legal justification or their consent. It is important to note that false imprisonment can occur even if there is no physical barrier, such as being locked in a room; if a person feels they cannot leave a certain area due to intimidation, threats, or other coercive tactics, it can still constitute false imprisonment.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately capture the essence of false imprisonment. While an unlawful arrest made without a warrant may seem related, it doesn't encompass the broader definition of false imprisonment, which is focused on the act of restraint rather than the legalities of arrest procedures. Detaining someone for protection, although potentially well-intentioned, does not fall under false imprisonment unless it is conducted unlawfully. Finally, holding someone for questioning without evidence can relate to other legal issues but does not in itself describe the unlawful restriction of freedom central to false imprisonment. Thus, the most precise and accurate definition is that it is the unlawful restraint of an individual's freedom of movement.