McKinney, TX Child Trafficking Defense Attorneys
Lawyers Defending Against Sex Trafficking Charges Involving Children in McKinney, Texas
When investigating people who may be suspected of child sex crimes, law enforcement officials are likely to take a harsh stance against anyone who they believe to have abused children. Allegations of child trafficking are taken especially seriously, and they may arise in multiple types of situations. People who are convicted of these offenses may face sentences of life in prison and other harsh penalties. Because of the sensitive issues involved in these cases, it is crucial to secure representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The team at Texas Defense Firm provides legal help to clients in McKinney and other parts of North Texas who have been accused of child trafficking or other related offenses. With our understanding of how sex crimes are handled in criminal courts and our experience representing defendants in criminal cases, we can provide the representation clients need to respond to these charges and defend against convictions.
How Texas Law Addresses Child Trafficking
The offense of trafficking of persons, which is commonly known as human trafficking, generally involves actions in which someone is forced to perform labor against their will. These cases will often involve claims that someone was forced to engage in prostitution or other sex acts. A person could be charged with human trafficking if they coerced or enticed someone into engaging in forced labor, transported or harbored a trafficking victim, or profited from being involved in trafficking.
While trafficking people of any age is a serious offense, people who are accused of trafficking children will often face more serious penalties. These charges may involve claims that children were trafficked for the purpose of committing offenses such as:
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child
- Sexual assault of a child
- Prostitution
- Indecency with a child
- Sexual performance by a child, including the creation of child pornography
Experience You Can Trust
Criminal Defense Handled at Every Level
Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a federal charge, our attorneys will work to build a strong defense strategy while protecting your rights.
Book Your Free Consultation
Activities That Could Lead to Child Sex Trafficking Charges
A person could be charged with child sex trafficking based on claims that they recruited, transported, or harbored a child for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Allegations of promoting prostitution or otherwise benefiting financially from an arrangement involving a trafficked child can also lead to serious criminal charges. A person may be accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a child who had been trafficked or allowing others to commit child sexual abuse. Even if a person did not have direct contact with a child, they could face criminal charges based on accusations that they organized or profited from child trafficking.
Penalties for Child Trafficking Convictions
Human trafficking offenses involving children are generally classified as first-degree felonies. A conviction can lead to a prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years. Cases involving certain factors can lead to harsher penalties, including the location of an alleged offense. If child trafficking allegedly took place within 1,000 feet of a school, child care facility, university, juvenile detention facility, youth community center, or domestic violence or homeless shelter serving children, the minimum sentence will increase to 25 years.
People who are accused of engaging in repeated child trafficking conduct may also face increased charges. A person may be charged with continuous trafficking of persons if they allegedly committed two or more acts of child trafficking within a period of 30 days or longer. In these cases, a person will face a minimum prison sentence of 25 years.
Defense Strategies in Child Trafficking Cases
When people are accused of child trafficking, their cases may be based on circumstantial evidence, such as claims that they were in a certain location at the time that a child was being trafficked. Witness cooperation can be a factor in these cases, and statements made by children who were allegedly trafficked may be used to identify an alleged offender and charge them with specific offenses. Understanding how to address these issues will require an attorney who has experience defending against child trafficking charges.
At Texas Defense Firm, our lawyers can provide guidance on the best options for defense in these cases. We may argue against claims that a person knowingly participated in child trafficking and show that they only had incidental contact with a child and were unaware that a sex crime had taken place. We may question the reliability and credibility of witnesses, including alleged victims, arguing that they cannot conclusively identify an alleged offender. We can also review digital communications, financial records, and other evidence and address any violations of a person's constitutional rights during searches by law enforcement.
Contact Our McKinney Child Trafficking Lawyers
A person who has been accused of child trafficking charges may face severe penalties that could affect them for the rest of their life. Understanding how to defend against these charges is crucial, and the lawyers at Texas Defense Firm have the experience needed to represent clients in these matters. We can look at the evidence involved in a case, review the statements made by alleged victims or other witnesses, and take steps to show that a person was not involved in child trafficking.
We understand the complex issues involved in these cases and the ways people may be affected by accusations of child sex crimes. We can provide the defense needed to resolve cases successfully. Contact our McKinney, TX child trafficking defense attorneys at 972-369-0577 to set up a free consultation and learn how we can build an effective defense against these charges.
