Human trafficking is the trade of humans, most commonly for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others. Human trafficking is an illegal movement of people typically for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. Trafficking victims are often forced to live in horrible conditions without pay for years at a time. Most victims are unable to see their family or friends. The person or group who is trafficking them controls every move they make. To criminals, child trafficking is not an exception; they will harm children by bringing them into the sex trade. Child traffickers do not value life and will sell a child without a single thought for their welfare.
Sex trafficking of women or children occurs when the alleged perpetrator forces victims into miserable circumstances, then forces them into prostitution, dancing in strip clubs, performing in pornographic videos or films, and other forms of involuntary services. Typically, the victims are runaway teens, homeless people, refugees, or drug addicts.
Traffickers also play into the narrative by telling victims, who are exploited for sex, that they are offenders, threatening to call the police and report them for prostitution if they push back. This makes sex trafficking particularly challenging because victims might be fearful of going to law enforcement and being charged with a crime.
At the height of human trafficking awareness and advocacy in 2000, the United States participated in the creation of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women (international law) and Children and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (United States law).
Virginia state laws on sex trafficking are considered Substantive Criminal Laws and are found in Title 18 Chapter 4 of the Commonwealth’s laws, under the general section heading of Crimes Against the Person. The section 18.2-48 deals specifically with many different actions that fall under the general umbrella of sex trafficking, which includes multiple felonies as well as misdemeanor counts. While multiple elements are listed, it is important to understand that a crime does not have to meet all of them to fall under the severe abduction category for sex trafficking in the state of Virginia.
If you have found yourself the victim of this police tactic or one of these sting operations, you should seek legal advice as soon as you are able. We have successfully defended many such cases and saved clients from the indignity of a permanent criminal record of these kinds of charges. A skilled federal human trafficking attorney in Virginia will be well aware of the convictions rates and the options for lesser charges and plea agreements, and will aggressively pursue those options to the benefit of their client.
If you need the help of a federal lawyer in Virginia who defends prostitution/human trafficking charges in Fairfax, Prince William (Manassas), Fauquier (Warrenton), Loudoun (Leesburg), Caroline, Stafford, Spotsylvania (Fredericksburg), Chesterfield, Henrico, Arlington, Richmond, Alexandria, Warren (Front Royal), Clarke, Shenandoah, King George, Charles City, Frederick (Winchester), Fredericksburg, Gloucester, Hanover, Hopewell, James City, King & Queen, King William, New Kent, Newport News, Petersburg, Prince George, Rappahannock, York, call our law firm immediately for help and speak to a lawyer about your options.
The SRIS Law Group can help you best possible outcome based on the facts of your case. If you wish to consult an SRIS Law Group, P.C. federal attorney in Virginia who defends prostitution/human trafficking charges, call us at 855-696-3348. B
