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The dense population of New Jersey, along with its proximity to many major cities along the I-95 corridor, means that human trafficking is a significant issue in the Garden State. Cases involving human trafficking often make headlines, and if you face them, you need experienced and assertive legal counsel from New Jersey human trafficking lawyers. Aiello, Harris, Abate Law Group PC knows how to mount a strong defense.
New Jersey sex crime laws define human trafficking as the act of forcing, coercing, or defrauding someone into providing commercial sex services or labor or services. The law also states that transporting, harboring, or otherwise obtaining individuals for these purposes constitutes human trafficking.
It’s illegal to do any of the following to force someone into sexual services or labor:
Acting as an organizer, manager, or financier in these crimes qualifies as human trafficking. It’s also a crime to knowingly recruit, transport, or involve anyone under 18, regardless of whether you believed the child was of legal age.
Although it’s common to associate human trafficking with commercial sexual activity, New Jersey human trafficking lawyers also work on cases involving:
These are serious accusations that require the expertise of an New Jersey sex crime lawyer. The charges can be either in the first or second degree, and a conviction carries stiff penalties.
Case Study
A recent case in Somerset County, Somerville, New Jersey, venue in the Superior Court proved that point. A man was accused of sexual assault, violation of NJSA 2C: 14-2. The allegation was that while a woman was drunk, he took advantage of her and committed the act of sexual assault. He was in prison for five to 10 years, under Megan’s Law.
N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8 is the statute covering first-degree human trafficking. It specifically defines human trafficking as holding, recruiting, luring, enticing, harboring, or transporting individuals to engage in providing sex or other services. Causing a child to participate in sexual activity or managing sex enterprises are first-degree crimes.
A conviction for first-degree human trafficking in New Jersey carries a potential prison sentence of 20 years to life and a fine of at least $25,000. Guilty parties also lose any state license or other authorization to operate a business if they used the company to commit the crime. The severity of the punishment underscores the need to have a seasoned New Jersey exploitation attorney on your side.
Second-degree human trafficking in New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 2C:13-9, includes knowingly providing services, resources, or assistance (like financial support, transportation, lodging) used for human trafficking. Procuring (or attempting to procure) a person to engage in sexual activity or to provide labor, knowing that they’re a victim of human trafficking, is also a second-degree offense.
A conviction for second-degree human trafficking carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine of at least $15,000.
New Jersey human trafficking laws, specifically sex trafficking, define the crime as using force, fraud, coercion, or other manipulative tactics to force someone to provide sex or other services, as outlined in N.J. 2C:13-8 and N.J. 2C:13-9.
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 protects trafficking victims, including anyone under 18, involved in a commercial sex act, regardless of force, fraud, or coercion.
The TVPA focuses on combating human trafficking with a framework for preventing and prosecuting trafficking offenses and protecting victims. Forced labor, selling people, and sex trafficking of children are all federal crimes.
Victims of human trafficking have the right to protection from intimidation and retaliation, access to justice, and the right to a fair trial. They also have the right to restitution and may be eligible for immigration relief. New Jersey human trafficking lawyers will protect the rights of all parties.
Citizens may report suspected human trafficking to local law enforcement or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
If you face charges of human trafficking, the plaintiff’s New Jersey human rights lawyer will work diligently to bring evidence against you, so you need an equally passionate legal professional to defend you against their accusations. Aiello, Harris, Abate Law Group PC’s New Jersey human trafficking lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the applicable laws and will provide a compassionate, thorough, and spirited defense.
Time is critical when facing human trafficking charges, so call us today to speak with one of our attorneys.
Call us today at (908) 873-3571 or contact us. Your initial consultation will take place over the phone, and you can schedule an appointment at one of our office locations across New Jersey.
The Aiello Harris Abate Law Group is made of a group of professionals that are here to help you through all challenges.
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