Virginia Sex Trafficking Lawyer

When you are arrested for alleged sex trafficking, you need to lawyer up as soon as you can. This is not something you are going to want to handle on your own. The legal penalties for sex trafficking can range anywhere from fines of up to $100,000 to decades in prison, depending on the exact nature of the offense. It is vital to your continued freedom that you speak with an experienced sex trafficking lawyer who can help you figure out a strong defense strategy.

When you are arrested for charges of sex trafficking, you may start to immediately feel overwhelmed and somewhat terrified. These are significant charges that could completely derail your life as you know it. You want to make sure you take the proper precautions to protect yourself by hiring a strong defense lawyer. Remember to exercise your constitutional rights to counsel and to remain silent, both of which you will need. A skilled Criminal Defense Lawyer can provide the legal guidance you need to navigate these serious charges and work toward the best possible outcome.

Sex trafficking is the act of illegally transporting people from one place to another against their will with the express purpose of forcing them into sexual activity or sexual exploitation of some kind. There are multiple crimes that may be considered a form of sex trafficking in Virginia, and it is important to recognize these crimes to know if you may have committed them yourself. Here are some of the crimes that may be considered sex trafficking in Virginia:

• Abduction: Taking somebody against their will is a very serious crime. In Virginia, abduction is considered a Class 2 felony and could result in a $100,000 fine and up to 20 years in prison. For a crime to be considered abduction, it must include the use of force or intimidation, forceful seizure, zero legal justification, and intent to molest or prostitute the victim in some capacity. This is considered sex trafficking under state law.
• Prostitution: Abducting a person for the purpose of forcing them into prostitution is considered a felony that could result in up to 10 years in prison and a substantial fine. Coercing somebody into prostitution is considered a sex trafficking crime in Virginia, as is encouraging or convincing that person to start working as a prostitute or in a brothel.
• Child Pornography: Having any involvement whatsoever in the production, creation, or distribution of child pornography falls under Virginia’s sex trafficking laws. This includes providing minors with sexually explicit materials. If you ever find yourself facing charges of child pornography or indecency with minors, it is imperative that you speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can. Additionally, a minor can be charged with sexual abuse if they are found to be involved in such offenses, which can carry severe legal consequences.

Being charged with sex trafficking can destroy your life as you know it. Even just the accusation can sometimes be enough to cause significant devastation to your professional reputation, your job opportunities, your social standing, and even your personal relationships. You could be facing decades in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. You are going to need legal help to fight this.

The legal team at Johnson/Citronberg understands how difficult it can be to build a defense against sex trafficking charges. We can help you build up a strong case, gather evidence that supports your claim, and make sure your interests are protected throughout the process. Contact us to speak with a team member about your case.