Federal Criminal Human Trafficking Charges – 18 U.S.C. § 1581
Many people think of smuggling aliens across the border when they think of the terms human trafficking. As far as how it's used in today's modern society, the feds are looking at those individuals who are exploiting children — moving them across state lines — even moving them internationally.
Under federal law, the offense of human trafficking is described under 18 U.S.C. 1581 – 1597, while the crime of sex trafficking is defined in 22 U.S.C. 7102. To give you some useful information about sex trafficking, our federal criminal defense attorneys are providing a review below.
Anywhere there's movement and commerce and there's a crime going on the feds can get involved, and specifically when it comes to having underaged children work as sex slaves, this is what the federal government is targeting when they investigate these human trafficking crimes. It can take many different forms.
Sometimes the people are underage. Sometimes the people are of age, but it's usually the exploitation of woman who are sometimes being taken advantage of from a certain state within the United States.
But a lot of these cases I see women coming in from other countries and their fellow countryman or Americans taking advantage of them — using them as sex slaves, making them work off their fee to come to the United States by performing sex acts.
Prostitution-Type Activity Involving Minors
Sometimes it involves children who have either been run away and fallen under the umbrella of some criminal organization that is making them do prostitution-type activity or even children who have been kidnapped and are being forced to perform sexual acts for money.
But I can tell you right now, one of the most highly-prosecuted crimes at this time carrying some of the stiffest penalties has to do with the exploitation of children, human trafficking and the like.
So, if you or a loved one has been arrested and is being charged with human trafficking charges at the federal level, pick up the phone. Make the call. I stand at the ready to assist you.
I would suggest making no statements to the government; answering so questions until you've had the opportunity to sit down with an attorney, give your side of the story and then let your attorney be the one who dictates how your case is going to be handled.
Sometimes people get swept up in the net of the federal government under the premise that they're somehow involved with human trafficking when they really are not and they are performing innocent activities and have somehow been viewed the wrong way.
Obviously, you want to get your attorney to champion your rights and to make sure that you are properly defended.
Fighting Federal Human Sex Trafficking Charges
Other times, people are guilty and they have been involved in human trafficking. Regardless of that, you need an attorney. The federal system gives everybody the right to have an attorney, so my suggestion is, before making any statements to law enforcement, get an attorney on your side.
One who has experience. One who knows how to deal with human sex trafficking cases, and one who can protect your rights, your freedom and your liberty.
Human sex trafficking can come with serious mandatory minimum punishments under the sentencing guidelines where someone is looking at many years in federal prison at 85% of whatever time they're given, a lifetime sex registration and numerous other penalties that if not defended, can basically ruin your life.
So, if you or a loved one is being investigated, is being charged with human trafficking having to do with the exploitation of woman/children, pick up the phone. Make the call. We are here to help you.
Hedding Law Firm is a criminal defense law firm located in Los Angeles County at 16000 Ventura Blvd #1208 Encino, CA 91436. Contact us for a free case consultation at (213) 542-0994.