Human Trafficking

New Jersey Human Trafficking

Criminal Defense Attorney

Human Trafficking is an incredibly serious offense with steep penalties if convicted. If you or a loved one are facing a Human Trafficking charge, it is crucial to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your rights. At Denholtz Criminal Defense, we understand the stakes involved and are committed to providing you with skilled, aggressive, and personalized legal representation.  No matter what the allegations, Ms. Denholtz will provide an honest and detailed evaluation of your case, outline the best legal options available, and craft a defense strategy designed to achieve the best possible result for your unique situation.  Contact Denholtz Criminal Defense today for your free consultation: (862) 842-0811 or Tracy@DenholtzCriminalDefense.com.

Human Trafficking

(N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8)

Human Trafficking:  Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8, a person commits the crime of human trafficking if he:

• Knowingly holds, recruits, lures, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains, by any means, another, to engage in sexual activity or to provide labor or services:

  • By causing or threatening to cause serious bodily harm or physical restraint against the person or any other person;

  • By means of any scheme, plan, or pattern intended to cause the person to believe that the person or any other person would suffer serious bodily harm or physical restraint;

  • By committing criminal coercion (2C:13-5) against the person;

  • By destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating, or possessing any passport, immigration-related document, or other document issued by a governmental agency to any person which could be used as a means of verifying the person's identity or age or any other personal identifying information;

  • By means of the abuse or threatened abuse of the law or legal process;

  • By means of fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation against the person; or

  • By facilitating access to a controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog; or

• Receives anything of value from participation as an organizer, supervisor, financier or manager in a scheme or course of conduct which violates the provisions above; or

• Knowingly holds, recruits, lures, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains, by any means, a child under 18 years of age, to engage in sexual activity, whether or not the actor mistakenly believed that the child was 18 years of age or older, even if that mistaken belief was reasonable.

1st Degree Offense:  Human trafficking is a 1st degree offense.  Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:13-8(d), certain sections of the human trafficking statute are punishable by either 20 years of imprisonment (during which time the defendant shall not be eligible for parole) OR a specific term between 20 years and life imprisonment (of which the actor shall serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole). 

Fines and Restitution:  The court also must impose a $25,000 fine and the defendant must pay restitution to the victim for the value of the victim’s labor or services.

Affirmative Defense:  It is an affirmative defense to prosecution for a violation of this section that, during the time of the alleged commission of the offense of human trafficking created by this section, the defendant was a victim of human trafficking.

Contact a New Jersey Human Trafficking Defense Lawyer for a Free Consultation

The consequences of a criminal conviction for Human Trafficking can be devastating.  It can impact employment, housing, finances, education, reputation, and relationships.  Human Trafficking cases are also very complex and highly specialized. 

At Denholtz Criminal Defense, we understand the stakes involved and are committed to providing you with skilled, aggressive, and personalized legal representation.  No matter what the allegations, Ms. Denholtz will provide an honest and detailed evaluation of your case, outline the best legal options available, and craft a defense strategy designed to achieve the best possible result for your unique situation.  Contact Denholtz Criminal Defense today for your free consultation: (862) 842-0811 or Tracy@DenholtzCriminalDefense.com.