Human trafficking involves the trade of human beings for the purposes of sexual exploitation, forced labor, and other types of exploitation. Human trafficking is considered a crime against humanity and is subject to serious penalties. There are different levels of severity, as the use of violence and involvement of young children are treated especially harshly. If you face these serious charges, contact the Law Offices of Geoffrey G. Nathan.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking begins with the recruitment and transportation of people who have been obtained through coercion, abduction, deception, or fraud. The victims are bought and sold throughout the process, and at various stages will suffer from some form of exploitation. This can include forced prostitution, other types of sexual exploitation or abuse, forced labor, slavery, or removal of organs for transplantation.
Federal Law
In addition to numerous international treaties and binding international laws, the United States has several statutes dealing with human trafficking. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 enhanced the pre-existing federal criminal penalties. The laws allow the prosecution of human trafficking both internationally and domestically. Penalties are laid out in chapter 77 of the US Code Title 18, and are as follows
- Slavery/Forced Labor - If convicted, traffickers can face up to 20 years in federal prison, in addition to fines. If the trafficking involves kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, sexual abuse, attempted sexual abuse, attempts to kill, or death, the penalty is life in prison.
- Sex Trafficking of Children - Traffickers dealing in children under the age of 14 years old or use force, fraud, or coercion for sex trafficking face life in prison. If involving children over the age of 14 sentences can be a maximum of 40 years in prison.
- Possession of Documents - Knowingly possessing the real or forged documents (passport) of a victim of human trafficking can result in up to 5 years in prison, in addition to fines.
Contact the Law Offices of Geoffrey G. Nathan
Every defendant is entitled to a zealous defense. When facing charges of this magnitude you need a skilled and experienced human trafficking lawyer in Boston who will aggressively defend your rights. Attorney Nathan has a proven track record of successfully defending clients accused of serious charges. Contact the Law Offices of Geoffrey G. Nathan today.