Do Not Allow Yourself to Be Found Guilty in a Court of Public Opinion: Get Help from a Federal Human Trafficking Defense Attorney
Human trafficking is the practice of transferring individuals to work as human workers for little or no compensation, typically across international borders. Human trafficking, or the movement of individuals to labor for no pay, is unlawful and punishable by heavy penalties.
Human trafficking is viewed as particularly heinous, and federal prosecutors are likely to be particularly active in pursuing charges. Likewise, the public often instantly turns on anyone even accused of this crime.
For these and other reasons, it is essential to hire a federal human trafficking defense attorney as soon as possible. Contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.
Human Trafficking in Federal Courts
It is prohibited under federal law to transfer, shelter, or exploit anybody for employment without adequate, legal compensation. Working off a debt is not considered proper, legal payment. People from other nations are often persuaded to come to the United States, where they are assured they would have economic opportunities, according to human trafficking allegations.
The suspected human traffickers are then accused of assisting them in illegally entering the United States, typically by slipping past immigration officers. The accused then employs the persons after they get in the United States.
Frequently, he or she informs them that they must labor until the costs of bringing them into the United States are paid off, and then pays them at such a low rate that they are unable to pay it off efficiently. The accused is sometimes accused of stealing the victims’ immigration paperwork.
Victims of human trafficking are said to have been forced to work as prostitutes or sex workers. It’s possible that they’re young girls and boys, and sexual intercourse with adults would be prohibited in any case. They might have worked in a brothel or another situation where the accused had a lot of power over them.
Potential Human Trafficking Punishment
Punishments can be severe, and they may be determined by the amount of cooperation that prosecutors can establish. If prosecutors can establish that you were involved in the preparation of a ship used in human trafficking, you may face up to seven years in federal prison. You may face up to two years in prison if they can show you worked on such a ship.
Under federal law, direct complicity in human trafficking carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. However, because the victim was forced to have sex without their consent, sex trafficking claims sometimes include allegations that the victim was sexually abused. If the prosecution can establish that the trafficking resulted in sexual assault, you might face life in jail. The same is true if the victims were children.
If you are convicted of a federal crime, you will be sentenced to federal prison. Federal jail, even low security, is not a “country club” or vacation, contrary to common belief. If you are convicted of federal human trafficking charges, you will almost certainly be sent to maximum security prison.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, human trafficking is also a felony that can result in deportation. If you are deported back to your native country, you will very certainly be prosecuted there as well.
There Are Defense Options Against Federal Charges of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is seen as a modern-day slave trade, and legislators know that advocating heavy punishments and instilling public fear may help them win votes. Because it mixes enslavement and sexual offenses, human trafficking is viewed as particularly heinous. Some lawmakers have referred to it as one of the most heinous acts ever committed.
Jurors will undoubtedly consider this, and those accused may face severe bias simply for being charged. Prosecutors, like other criminal charges, must establish each element of the case beyond a reasonable doubt. An aggressive human trafficking defense lawyer can bring out the case’s weaknesses. Even the most jaded juror must acquit if there is any reasonable doubt.
It is seldom a successful defense to claim that the victims consented to the treatment; in fact, presenting such an argument may exacerbate the situation. A skilled lawyer can devise a solid defense plan and put it to use in the courtroom.
The right defense for you will depend on the specifics of your case but one thing is certainly true: you need to hire a federal human trafficking defense attorney if you are facing these charges. Call Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 now to request a free legal consultation.
