Taking away someone’s freedom in order to obtain services from them is the crime of human trafficking. A large percentage of human trafficking in Los Angeles is made up of sex trafficking that involves bringing people in from other countries to make money from them through the sale of sex. Because human trafficking carries a very negative stigma, having to defend yourself if accused can be a difficult task. The experience of a seasoned criminal defense attorney in these cases is indispensable. The laws against this crime are particularly strict, and after the passing of Proposition 35 and “Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act” they are even stricter. If you’ve been accused of human trafficking give the Law Offices of William Kroger a call at (323) 655-5700 to speak with one of our attorneys about your case.
Under California Law Human Trafficking is broken down into three sections. You can be convicted of human trafficking if you’re guilty of any of these:
Depriving or violating the personal liberty of another with the intent to obtain forced labor or services. This usually happens through force, coercion, and threats. (California Penal Code 236.1(a))
Depriving a person of their personal liberty while violating California’s laws against child pornography, pimping, blackmail, extortion and other offenses. ( California Penal Code 236.1 (b))
Causing, persuading or inducing a minor to engage in a commercial sexual transaction. ( California Penal Code 236.1 (c))
The common component is the denial of personal liberty. There are many examples of human trafficking. Hiring an illegal immigrant and not paying them adequate wages and threatening them with deportation if they quit, is one example. Many times human trafficking involves prostitution, and a wider network of people who are guilty of running these human trafficking rings.
There is a number of people that can be arrested in a human trafficking ring bust. Anyone from recruiters, sponsors, to those arranging for travel. Some people involved may not even be aware that they’re participating in human trafficking.
Human trafficking is always charged as a felony in California. If convicted of human trafficking in California, your penalties depend on which section of the statue you were prosecuted on.
If you are convicted under section 236.1(a) you are facing up to 12 years in state prison, as well as a potential fine of up to $500,000.
If you are convicted under section 236.1(b) you face up to 20 years in prison, as well as a maximum fine of $500,000 and registration on the sex offender registry.
If you are convicted under section 236.1(c) you are facing up to 12 years in state prison, as well as a potential fine of up to $500,000. Your penalties may be enhanced if it’s found that you used fear, force, fraud, or other forms of coercion while committing the offense, in which case the penalties can increase to between 15 years and life in prison.
There are different type of defenses to the charge of human trafficking, and an experienced criminal attorney can help you build the strongest possible defense. For example, a defense built on the fact that you are actually innocent or that the case is built upon a false allegation. It may be that you were wrongly accused by a spurned past employee who had a personal motive against you. Whatever the case, getting the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney is the best next step.
Human trafficking is one of the most serious crimes you can face in the state of California, and a conviction involves serious prison time. It’s imperative that you seek an attorney who can help you. If you’ve been arrested in Los Angeles for human trafficking charges, call our office at (323) 655-5700 to schedule a free consultation.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed sed augue mauris. Integer placerat et massa in pharetra. Cras diam mi, tincidunt nec erat in, mollis sagittis sapien. Quisque ultrices id diam quis dapibus. Nullam ac erat ac justo convallis fringilla nec ut purus. Vivamus volutpat orci et lacus tempus fringilla. Morbi sed erat vel nisi blandit placerat eget eget sapien.
Nulla eget tristique leo. Proin dignissim tellus nec risus congue fringilla. Donec interdum purus sem, a finibus ante efficitur ornare. Quisque ullamcorper pharetra lacus, vitae pharetra magna pretium vel. Donec aliquet purus sed pellentesque mollis. Pellentesque vestibulum eget massa in facilisis. Phasellus eu risus non metus consectetur facilisis. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. In vitae fermentum enim, in vulputate diam. Aliquam malesuada urna suscipit, elementum sapien ac, posuere nisl.
Integer malesuada leo quis erat imperdiet aliquet. Aliquam ut eros vulputate, pharetra nulla quis, bibendum justo. Suspendisse justo leo, efficitur vel ex nec, fermentum condimentum dui. Suspendisse ut massa sit amet ligula mattis viverra. Sed sed turpis ligula. In vulputate, enim sit amet laoreet blandit, elit nisl fermentum odio, nec convallis libero dolor nec tellus. Donec rutrum nibh non nibh tincidunt, non iaculis diam dignissim. Sed nec massa pellentesque, gravida sem id, lobortis nisi. Integer turpis metus, sagittis vitae metus vel, feugiat congue nibh.
Vestibulum sed arcu eleifend ipsum eleifend semper nec sed est. Nam dapibus massa ut scelerisque egestas. Integer at elit faucibus elit molestie luctus. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur nulla neque, rhoncus sit amet ultricies ac, sagittis ac nibh. Praesent mattis ultricies nisi vitae efficitur. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Nunc ullamcorper non est vitae faucibus. Duis pellentesque magna fermentum leo molestie, et dapibus diam dictum. Vivamus eu purus ullamcorper, consequat diam quis, blandit eros. Cras ultrices finibus metus, eget tempor sem euismod quis. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus.
Class aptent taciti sociosqu ad litora torquent per conubia nostra, per inceptos himenaeos. Fusce hendrerit arcu vel nisi bibendum, nec accumsan nunc sollicitudin. Mauris eu pretium ante, at rhoncus metus. Nunc dignissim turpis vel libero commodo imperdiet. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere cubilia curae; Donec gravida arcu eu turpis lobortis, vitae bibendum lectus egestas. Phasellus gravida eleifend ligula, eu sagittis diam rhoncus ut. Suspendisse fringilla ipsum eu purus tincidunt ornare. Vestibulum tincidunt enim eu ante mattis interdum. Integer molestie, est quis tincidunt dapibus, ex diam ultrices enim, nec vestibulum lectus orci non elit. Etiam vestibulum justo erat, ut vulputate urna dapibus vitae. Fusce ultrices lacus ac eros scelerisque, non malesuada neque ultrices. In pretium mi sed eros pharetra, eu molestie felis consectetur.
This page was reviewed and approved by William S. Kroger, a leading criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles. Mr. Kroger has decades of experience defending clients in both state and federal courts. He is recognized for his strong trial skills and dedication to protecting the rights of the accused. Throughout his career, he has successfully represented clients facing a wide range of serious criminal charges. His personalized defense strategies are designed to achieve the best possible outcome in every case. Clients trust Mr. Kroger for his knowledge, commitment, and proven results.
He is also an active member of respected legal organizations, including the American Bar Association and the National Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers. With his expertise and reputation, William S. Kroger is regarded as one of California’s top defense lawyers.
"*" indicates required fields
