Baltimore City Federal Human Trafficking Lawyer
When you are accused of human trafficking, you are innocent until proven guilty. There are many possible defenses that a Baltimore City federal human trafficking lawyer can help you to present in court to try to avoid conviction. You could argue:
- You did not have knowledge that human trafficking was occurring.
- You did not intend to become involved in any type of human trafficking.
- You were coerced into your involvement and you did not intentionally engage in criminal behavior.
- There is insufficient evidence to show that you were involved in human trafficking. A prosecutor must prove every element of the crime for you to be found guilty.
- You did not receive any monetary benefit or gain in any way from whatever trafficking was occurring.
Human trafficking is a felony offense and you could face very serious penalties if you are convicted of this crime. Being arrested does not mean you are guilty or that you will be convicted. You have options to respond to these charges in a way that may help reduce penalties or that could reduce the chances of a guilty verdict. A Baltimore City federal human trafficking lawyer can provide you with legal representation if you are charged.
Federal Laws on Human Trafficking
When you have been accused of human trafficking, mandatory minimum penalties for a conviction could mean decades in prison even for minimal involvement in a trafficking enterprise. 18 U.S. Code Chapter 77 establishes penalties for the crime of slavery and trafficking in persons. Some of the offenses you could be charged with include:
- Kidnapping someone to sell that person into slavery, or coercing someone into a situation where that person will become a slave. Penalties could include 20 years incarceration under 18 U.S. Code Section 1583.
- Selling a person into involuntary servitude, which results in a penalty of up to 20 years incarceration under 18 U.S. Code Section 1584.
- Using force, threats, or abuse of the legal process to provide or unlawfully obtain some’s labor. Penalties can include up to 20 years incarceration under Code Section 1589.
- Sex trafficking of children, which can result in a penalty of 15 years to life if the child is under age 14 and 10 years to life if the child is under 18 according to Code Section 1591.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act makes clear that you could also be charged under the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statute and you could be sued by those who you allegedly trafficked.
Because prosecutors are often overly aggressive in going after alleged traffickers, you may find yourself with multiple criminal charges to defend yourself against, even if you have not done anything wrong.
How a Baltimore City Federal Human Trafficking Lawyer Can Help
Human trafficking is a felony offense and you could face very serious penalties if you are convicted of this crime. Being arrested does not mean you are guilty or that you will be convicted. You have options to respond to these charges in a way that may help reduce penalties or that could reduce the chances of a guilty verdict. A Baltimore City federal human trafficking lawyer can provide you with legal representation if you are charged.
A Baltimore City federal human trafficking lawyer can advise you about the options you have for defenses. If you do not want to go to court, then your Baltimore City federal human trafficking attorney can also help you to negotiate a plea bargain where you may be able to limit or reduce the penalties you face. Call a federal human trafficking lawyer in Baltimore City as soon as possible to learn more.