What Evidence Is Needed to Prove Human Trafficking?

To convict you of a charge of human trafficking, a prosecutor must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This means presenting evidence that you took part in depriving the victim of their personal liberty and that you did so with the intent (such as forced labor, prostitution, child pornography, or extortion) with which you are charged. If the prosecution accuses you of using force or threats or of causing bodily injury to a victim, the case against you will need to provide evidence to support that claim, as well. Proving that you deprived the victim of their liberty, and particularly that you used threats or fraud to do so, can be challenging for prosecutors. In some cases, the victim whose testimony would support their case against you is uncooperative, doesn’t know factual details that would support the allegations, or is unreliable. For those charged with human trafficking crimes, these challenges in proving these charges open the door for a number of legal defense strategies. It’s important to choose an attorney who is familiar with the specifics of human trafficking cases and can use the obstacles the prosecution must overcome to your advantage.

How Does a Los Angeles Human Trafficking Lawyer Defend Against Trafficking and Exploitation Charges?

Building a robust defense against charges of human trafficking requires in-depth knowledge of the facts of the case. In some instances, a sex trafficking defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, may be able to present evidence in support of a defense that you were falsely accused of the crime. You may have been mistaken for the true perpetrator of the offense, or an accuser, such as an employee, may be making up the charge for some sort of gain or retaliation. In other cases, the most appropriate path forward may be a defense that you did not actually deprive the victim of their liberty and they could have left your employment at any time, or that you did not intend to get the victim involved in the commercial sex trade. Your Los Angeles human trafficking lawyer might also be able to uncover evidence through an investigation that shows that you were unaware human trafficking was taking place or that you did not play a direct role in the trafficking and exploitation of human victims. The best defense for your situation will depend on factors like what specifically you are accused of having done and what evidence the prosecution has in its case against you. What is certain is that retaining an experienced human trafficking defense lawyer will allow you to understand and explore your legal options for defending against these charges.

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Sex Trafficking Defense Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, Represents Clients Facing All Kinds of Human Exploitation Charges Across Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, and Throughout Southern California

Human trafficking is a serious crime under both federal law and California state law. If you have been charged with this offense, the consequences of a conviction may include over a decade of jail time.

Aggressive legal representation by the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney can help you fight the charges against you and improve the likelihood of a more favorable outcome of the case. For a free, confidential legal consultation, contact us today.

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Are You Facing Human Trafficking Charges in Los Angeles, CA?

Human trafficking is a complex area of law. In fact, people facing human trafficking charges may not fully understand what they’re being accused of. A Los Angeles human trafficking lawyer can explain the charges against you and explore all avenues of legal defense.

Human Trafficking Offenses and Penalties Under California State Law

The statute that criminalizes human trafficking under state law in California is Penal Code 236.1. Under this law, the crime of human trafficking may take any of the following forms:

Depriving the victim of personal liberty for the purpose of gaining forced labor
Depriving the person of personal liberty for the purpose of committing offenses that include prostitution, sexual exploitation of children, child pornography, and blackmail and extortion
Making a minor participate in commercial sex acts

Important in cases of human trafficking is the element of violating the victim’s personal liberty. Often, a person who commits human trafficking crimes uses some sort of force or fear to deprive the victim of their freedom. Examples of the means an offender may use to commit human trafficking crimes include:

Physical violence against the victim or someone else
Threats of violence against the victim, their loved ones, or others
Fraud, or deceiving the victim in some way
Coercion or duress

Not all human trafficking crimes involve the commercial sex trade, but those that do carry harsh penalties in California. Under state law, prison sentences for human trafficking violations committed for the purpose of pimping, pandering, prostitution, child pornography, and blackmail crimes amount to eight, 14, or 20 years. If convicted of this crime, you may be required to register as a sex offender under California Penal Code 290.

Persuading, forcing, or otherwise inducing a minor to commit commercial sex acts through human trafficking violations is punishable by five, eight, or 12 years in state prison. Use of violence, force, fear, fraud, or coercion of other kinds may trigger a more severe sentence of 15 years to life in prison. A conviction on this charge, too, could require you to register as a sex offender in California.

For sex trafficking crimes that involve forced labor distinct from the commercial sex trade, like domestic servitude and forced child labor, California law establishes prison terms of five, eight, or 12 years.

A conviction for any of these violations may also give rise to a fine of up to $500,000 under California Penal Code 236.1. Additional penalties may also apply. For example, under the Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act passed in 2012, offenders convicted of human trafficking charges could face additional penalties for inflicting bodily injury upon a victim, repeat offenses of human trafficking crimes, and violations that are particularly severe in duration, extent, amount of financial gain, or level of suffering of the victim. These penalties ranged from five to 10 years of additional prison time to fines of up to $1,000,000.

Federal Charges and Consequences of Human Trafficking

For allegations of human trafficking or sex trafficking, you may be facing charges at the federal level as well as the state level. Federal investigators and prosecutors are most likely to get involved in a human trafficking case that involves bringing the victim across state or international borders against their will and human trafficking operations that are especially large.

Under federal charges, you could be facing prison sentences of 10, 15, or 25 years, or potentially even a life sentence, for direct participation in human trafficking crimes.

Locations Our Los Angeles Human Trafficking Lawyer Serves

Whether you’re seeking a human trafficking lawyer in San Fernando Valley, Gateway Cities, South Bay, or Central L.A., you’ve come to the right place. The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney serve clients accused of serious criminal offenses all over the City of Los Angeles and L.A. County, including the following areas:

Beverly Hills
Burbank
Carson
Century City
Compton
Downey
El Monte
Encino
Glendale
Hawthorne
Inglewood
Lancaster
Long Beach
Malibu
Norwalk
Palmdale
Pasadena
Pomona
Redondo Beach
Rosemead
Santa Monica
Sherman Oaks
South Gate
Torrance
West Covina
Whittier
Van Nuys

When you need a human or sex trafficking defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, you want a law firm that’s committed to aggressively defending you against the serious charges against you.

Contact a Los Angeles Human Trafficking Lawyer at the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney for a Free Consultation

Don’t underestimate the consequences you’re up against when charged with human trafficking crimes. Significant jail time, massive fines, and potentially being labeled as a sex offender are all life-changing effects of the charges you’re facing.

For help from a human trafficking defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, contact the Law Offices of Christopher Chaney online or call (310) 209-3999 today.

Human Trafficking Charges Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

To convict you of a charge of human trafficking, a prosecutor must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This means presenting evidence that you took part in depriving the victim of their personal liberty and that you did so with the intent (such as forced labor, prostitution, child pornography, or extortion) with which you are charged.
If the prosecution accuses you of using force or threats or of causing bodily injury to a victim, the case against you will need to provide evidence to support that claim, as well.
Proving that you deprived the victim of their liberty, and particularly that you used threats or fraud to do so, can be challenging for prosecutors. In some cases, the victim whose testimony would support their case against you is uncooperative, doesn’t know factual details that would support the allegations, or is unreliable.
For those charged with human trafficking crimes, these challenges in proving these charges open the door for a number of legal defense strategies. It’s important to choose an attorney who is familiar with the specifics of human trafficking cases and can use the obstacles the prosecution must overcome to your advantage.
Building a robust defense against charges of human trafficking requires in-depth knowledge of the facts of the case. In some instances, a sex trafficking defense attorney in Los Angeles, CA, may be able to present evidence in support of a defense that you were falsely accused of the crime. You may have been mistaken for the true perpetrator of the offense, or an accuser, such as an employee, may be making up the charge for some sort of gain or retaliation.
In other cases, the most appropriate path forward may be a defense that you did not actually deprive the victim of their liberty and they could have left your employment at any time, or that you did not intend to get the victim involved in the commercial sex trade. Your Los Angeles human trafficking lawyer might also be able to uncover evidence through an investigation that shows that you were unaware human trafficking was taking place or that you did not play a direct role in the trafficking and exploitation of human victims.
The best defense for your situation will depend on factors like what specifically you are accused of having done and what evidence the prosecution has in its case against you. What is certain is that retaining an experienced human trafficking defense lawyer will allow you to understand and explore your legal options for defending against these charges.

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Regardless of your circumstance, you are not alone in your fight. We are ready to stand by your side and fight for your rights, freedom, and reputation. Contact us today to schedule a free remote or in-person consultation, and let us assist you in finding a solution to your problem.

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