False imprisonment is the unlawful restraint of someone's freedom of movement. It does not require a prison cell. Blocking someone in a room, holding their arm, or threatening them to keep them from leaving can qualify. The key is that the person is confined without consent and without legal authority.

The confinement must be complete. If a person has a reasonable means of escape, even an inconvenient one, there is no false imprisonment. The victim must also be aware of the confinement, though some jurisdictions allow claims on behalf of those who are not aware, such as a sleeping person.

Elements of false imprisonment

• Intentional act by the defendant.
• Confine the plaintiff to a bounded area.
• No consent from the plaintiff.
• No legal authority for the confinement.
• The plaintiff is aware of the confinement or harmed by it.

Police officers can commit false imprisonment if they detain someone without legal justification. Store security guards can commit it if they hold a suspected shoplifter too long or without probable cause. Private citizens can commit it in domestic disputes or bullying situations. The tort protects personal liberty, and courts take it seriously. Damages can include emotional distress and, in egregious cases, punitive damages.