Florida Human Trafficking Laws and Federal Charges

Human trafficking charges are some of the most serious you can face, especially if the federal government is involved. Every state in the country has its own laws regarding human trafficking, but you may also face federal charges if you’re accused of international or interstate operations. Because of the severe human trafficking laws in Florida and the penalties you can face if convicted, it’s vital to hire a defense attorney the moment you’re charged.

At Taracks & Associates, our team of Florida criminal defense lawyers can help you fight the accusations made against you. We have decades of experience and extensive resources that we can leverage on your behalf to protect your future.

Don’t wait to safeguard your future against these serious charges. Contact us at 813-281-2897 to schedule a free initial consultation with a Florida criminal defense lawyer you can trust today.

What Is Human Trafficking in Florida?

Understanding State Charges

The first thing that our criminal defense lawyers ensure is that clients understand what they’re charged with. Florida human trafficking laws define this accusation as involving modern-day human slavery.

It is the illegal use of force, coercion, or fraud to obtain commercial sex, labor, or other services from unwilling participants or those who are underage. You can be charged with human trafficking if you allegedly participated in recruiting, harboring, soliciting, or transporting human beings for profit.

In Florida, using coercion for labor or services, including commercial sexual activity, is a first-degree felony. Coercion is defined as:

• Using or threatening to use force
• Isolating or restraining the person
• Destroying or otherwise withholding passports or other identification documents
• Causing or threatening to cause financial harm
• Providing a controlled substance to the victim.

Florida human trafficking laws also state that minors cannot consent to commercial sex. They can’t be arrested or charged with prostitution, either, but buyers of minors for commercial sex purposes can be charged as human traffickers. Additionally, all human trafficking offenses in Florida can be prosecuted as Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) offenses.

Federal Human Trafficking Charges

Federal human trafficking includes both sex and labor trafficking that involves a minor or the use of coercion. Labor trafficking covers subjecting a person to involuntary servitude, debt bondage, peonage, or slavery.

Federal law distinguishes each of these to ensure that all possible categories of the illegal labor market are covered. Peonage, for example, refers to forcing someone to work to pay off a debt. Enticing a person into slavery with promises of a job or other rewards is considered kidnapping.

Penalties You Could Face if Convicted

Human trafficking is punished severely by both Florida and the federal government. If you are facing these charges, having a human trafficking attorney by your side from the start can significantly help your case.

Florida Penalties

Human trafficking for commercial sex or labor is a first-degree felony in Florida. If you’re convicted, you could face a minimum of 21 months and a maximum of 30 years behind bars, depending on the severity of the charges.

Some people may receive a maximum of 30 years’ probation instead. You can also expect to pay significant fines, usually up to $10,000. Those who traffick children face a Level 10 criminal offense.

Federal Penalties

In cases involving human trafficking of children, you could be looking at 20 years in prison, as well as substantial fines. If you’re charged with using mail or electronic communications to coerce or entice a minor to engage in prostitution, that could mean anywhere from 10 years to life behind bars. Transporting a minor between states or internationally for criminal sexual activity could incur up to 10 years in federal prison.

Peonage, forced labor, slavery, or involuntary servitude can earn you 20 years in federal prison and fines. If the alleged victim dies or if there’s kidnapping involved, you could face up to life in prison.

Other Penalties

Being convicted of human trafficking, at either the state or federal level, can mean other consequences besides prison time and fines. It will also earn you a criminal record, which can cause lasting damage.

With a criminal record, there may be some employment opportunities that you won’t be eligible for. Many employers won’t consider those who have a record. If you have professional licenses, you can lose these, making it impossible to work in your chosen vocation.

You might also have a much harder time finding a place to live. The majority of landlords won’t accept applications from people with records, and if you’re convicted of human trafficking, you will likely also have to register as a sex offender, which further limits where you can live. You won’t be able to own firearms and could face restrictions when traveling, too.

Additionally, there’s a severe stigma that you may have to deal with. You could face discrimination and find it very difficult to build relationships.

 

Human Trafficking Defenses

One of the most effective defense strategies when it comes to human trafficking charges is proving a lack of intent. This requires demonstrating that you didn’t knowingly or willingly engage in trafficking activities. If you had no way of knowing that your actions would contribute to a trafficking scheme, experienced lawyers can use that as part of your defense.

Another defense involves proving that you were coerced into committing the alleged crime. If you were forced to traffick humans against your will, that can be a powerful defense in your favor. It may require evidence of threats or violence.

In some cases, an effective defense is showing that the defendant was not at the scene of the alleged crime because they were somewhere else. Having an alibi and witnesses that corroborate it can allow your lawyer to fight to get the charges dropped.

There’s also the option of claiming mistaken identity. Witnesses can make mistakes when identifying perpetrators, and you could be caught in the crosshairs. This, along with insufficient evidence that links you to the crime, could mean being able to clear your name.

Fighting for Your Rights and Freedom

Contact Taracks & Associates for Help

If you’ve been charged with human trafficking at the state or federal level, you need experienced representation. At Taracks & Associates, we can investigate the alleged crime and aggressively defend you. We know what’s at stake, and we can work tirelessly to help you avoid the worst consequences.

Contact our seasoned team of human trafficking attorneys at 813-281-2897 to schedule a free initial consultation now.