Sugar Land, TX Sex Crimes Lawyers

Sex Crimes Attorney in Sugar Land Protecting Your Rights

Sex trafficking is a grave crime that carries severe penalties at both the federal and state levels. Understanding how sex trafficking is defined, the penalties of a conviction, and the actions that can lead to charges is crucial for those who have been accused of these offenses. If you are facing sex trafficking charges or have been accused of other sex crimes, the criminal defense professionals at Bennett & Bennett are ready to help you.

Definition of Federal Sex Trafficking in Texas

Sex trafficking is defined federally under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). According to this law, sex trafficking occurs when a person is abducted by force, fraud, or coercion to engage in commercial sex acts, or when the individual induced to perform such acts is under the age of 18. In Texas, the legal framework aligns closely with these federal definitions, with severe penalties that are meant to reflect the seriousness of the crime.

Elements of the Crime

To convict someone of sex trafficking, the prosecution must establish clear elements:

• Recruitment, transportation, or harboring: The accused must have been actively involved in recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving individuals.
• Purpose - The individual must be engaged or intended to engage in commercial sex acts.
• Means - The acts must have been carried out through force, fraud, or coercion, except in cases involving minors, where these elements do not need to be proven.

These stringent definitions aim to cover the broad spectrum of activities that constitute sex trafficking and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.

Severe Penalties for Federal Sex Trafficking

The penalties for sex trafficking are designed to reflect the serious nature of the crime and deter future offenses. Convictions can result in long-term imprisonment, significant fines, and lasting legal and social repercussions. On the federal level, convicted traffickers can face:

• Imprisonment - Sentences can range from 10 years to life, depending on the circumstances and severity of the offense.
• Fines - Heavy fines that can run into the tens of thousands of dollars or more.
• Forfeiture - Offenders may have to forfeit assets gained through trafficking.

Texas State Penalties Are Also Severe

In Texas, state penalties align closely with federal laws, sometimes imposing stricter sentences. Some key penalties include:

• Felony charges - Sex trafficking is typically classified as a first-degree felony, especially in cases involving minors or disabled individuals.
• Imprisonment - Offenders can face sentences as high as life in prison, particularly for aggravated cases involving multiple victims or minors.
• Mandatory restitution - Offenders may be required to provide financial restitution to victims for their suffering and losses.

Three Critical Aspects of Sex Trafficking

These aspects include the following:

• Recruitment - This involves convincing or coercing people to enter into the commercial sex industry, which can happen through various means, including false promises of employment, romantic relationships, or threats and intimidation.
• Transportation - Transporting victims across state lines or internationally for the purpose of commercial sex acts constitutes trafficking. Even interstate movement within Texas can trigger state and/or federal prosecution, resulting in severe penalties.
• Harboring - This generally involves providing shelter or safe houses for victims. This can often involve holding people against their will, threatening them with violence, or using psychological methods to coerce them into remaining with their trafficker.

Understanding the Sex Trafficking Process

Consider a hypothetical scenario where a person named John is accused of sex trafficking because he allegedly recruited young women under false pretenses, transported them to different cities across Texas, and harbored them in discreet locations to engage in commercial sex acts. The prosecution would need to prove that John knowingly participated in these acts with the intent of exploiting the victims for commercial sex and that he used force, fraud, or coercion to maintain control over them.

Contact Our Sugar Land, TX Sex Crimes Attorney

Being charged with a sex crime can feel like your life is over. However, by contacting a criminal defense lawyer who is known for their aggressive representation of clients, you can get the legal defense you need to fight for a favorable case outcome. Call Bennett & Bennett at 713-224-1747 for legal guidance on which you can depend.