Human trafficking is one of the most serious crimes you can be accused of, potentially leading to years in prison. If you have been falsely accused of and are now facing human trafficking charges, our experienced attorneys can help you challenge the state’s charges and build your defense.
Human trafficking typically involves enticing or coercing individuals to provide services to others. These services can range from general labor to sexual activities. Some victims are abducted and forcibly trafficked, while others are drawn in with the promise of money or drugs. Human trafficking can occur in various situations, which will influence the charges you face. Perhaps you were not aware that you were part of a trafficking operation. It is also possible that you were a victim yourself, being compelled to cooperate. In any case, our lawyers are here to help you challenge the charges.
For a free and confidential case review with our human trafficking defense attorneys in New Jersey, call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych today at (609) 616-4956.
What Should I Do if I Have Been Falsely Accused of Human Trafficking?
An arrest for human trafficking almost always results in pretrial detention and potentially a criminal trial, even if you are falsely accused. The first thing you should do if you have been falsely accused of human trafficking is to hire an experienced lawyer. Our human trafficking defense attorneys in New Jersey can reduce not just the duration of your detention, but also the likelihood of a conviction that may lead to imprisonment. Our team has significant experience in representing clients accused of human trafficking and similar crimes. Having our skilled attorneys defend you against this charge can be extremely beneficial, which is exactly what our attorneys can provide you.
In some cases, human trafficking involves kidnapping, though not always. While some individuals are taken against their will and trafficked, others are deceived into participating or choose to go along willingly. In many instances, these individuals are involved because traffickers provide them with drugs or they are misled.
Individuals can also be abducted or recruited into a trafficking operation where they are given or sold to others for labor or sexual services. Human trafficking is often featured in the media as large operations or trafficking rings with national and international actors involved. While this is one example of human trafficking, it is not the sole scenario.
A person might face charges if they are falsely implicated in much smaller operations. For instance, an individual might be charged with human trafficking if they allegedly coerce even a single person into involuntary labor or sexual exploitation. If you are facing such allegations, our human trafficking attorneys can evaluate the evidence and assist you in exonerating yourself.
How is Someone Charged with Human Trafficking Crimes?
Human trafficking charges are some of the most complex for those accused to understand. While many cases involve several suspects and alleged victims, some people are charged without even being aware that they were involved in a human trafficking operation. Understanding how these crimes are charged is the first step to identifying how to defend your case.
An individual can be charged with a first-degree felony under N.J.S.A. § 2C:13-8 if falsely accused of any of the following three forms of human trafficking:
Knowingly Trafficking Another Individual
A person commits the crime of human trafficking when they knowingly hold, recruit, lure, entice, harbor, transport, provide, or obtain another individual, through any means, to engage in sexual activities or to work by inflicting or threatening serious bodily harm or physical restraint against that individual or anyone else, according to § 2C:13-8(a)(1). This crime can also occur through schemes or patterns designed to manipulate the victim into believing that they or another person would face serious harm or confinement.
Additionally, actions like destroying, hiding, removing, confiscating, or possessing any passport, immigration-related documents, or other identification from a governmental agency that could help verify someone’s identity, age, or other personal information are also crimes.
Moreover, human trafficking can involve abuse or threats of abuse regarding legal matters, as well as deceitful practices or misrepresentation aimed at the individual. Facilitating access to drugs or dangerous substance analogs also falls under this crime.
Organizing, Financing, or Supervising a Sex Enterprise
Under § 2C:13-8(a)(2), an individual can be prosecuted for human trafficking even if they are not directly engaged in the abduction or transportation of victims. You might face false charges if you take part in a broader trafficking operation as an organizer, manager, supervisor, or financial backer. However, it is common for individuals to discover that they have unintentionally contributed to a human trafficking operation, which could be a single act where they had no idea what they were contributing to.
Trafficking Children
Unfortunately, vast amounts of trafficking victims are children, making it one of the most heinous crimes one can be accused of. According to § 2C:13-8(a)(3), if a defendant knowingly traffics a child under the age of 18 for the purpose of sexual activities, they can be charged with human trafficking. These charges apply even if the defendant mistakenly believed that the child was an adult, regardless of whether that belief was reasonable.
What if I Was Also a Human Trafficking Victim?
It is typical for traffickers to exploit victims to advance their human trafficking operations. For instance, a trafficker might force an existing victim to attract or entice additional victims into the network. If you were also a victim of human trafficking, you possess a strong defense to your charges.
Under § 2C:13-8(c), being a victim during the time of your alleged crime serves as an affirmative defense to human trafficking charges, providing a legal justification or excuse for your actions. In many instances, prosecutors are willing to grant immunity to victims who provide testimony against the actual leaders of the trafficking operation.
Call Our Human Trafficking Defense Attorneys in New Jersey Today to Get Your Defense Started
For a free, confidential case assessment with our Atlantic City, NJ human trafficking defense attorneys, call the Law Offices of John J. Zarych today at (609) 616-4956.
