Sex trafficking is not just prostitution; it is the enslavement of people coerced into a situation for sexual exploitation. Generally, prostitution is three parties: the victim, the person coercing the victim to engage in sexual acts, and the party paying for sex.
Under Utah law, a person commits human trafficking for sexual exploitation if the actor recruits, harbors, transports, patronizes, or solicits an individual for sexual exploitation through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Generally, a sex trafficking crime is considered a second-degree felony.
Utah Sex Trafficking Attorney
Sex crimes such as trafficking carry harsh penalties in the state of Utah. Therefore it is important to consult a skilled criminal defense attorney such as Susanne Gustin at Susanne Gustin, Attorney at Law. She can provide the guidance you need to navigate the court system while building a formidable defense to ensure you receive the best possible result for your case.
Susanne Gustin serves clients throughout the greater Salt Lake County and Davis County area including West Valley City, Sandy, West Jordan, Murray, South Jordan, Midvale, Riverton, Taylorsville and Herriman. To set up your first consultation with Susanne Gustin, Attorney at Law, call 801-243-2814 as soon as possible.
Information Center
- What Is Coercion?
- What Are The Penalties For Sex Trafficking?
- Enhanced Penalties
- What Are The Defenses To Sex Trafficking?
- Additional Resources
What Is Coercion?
Coercion or force occurs through one of the following:
- Threatening severe harm to the alleged victim
- Physically restraining the alleged victim
- Withholding the alleged victim’s passport or other identification issued by the government
- Threatening to hold a third-party hostage (e.g., threatening to hold the alleged victim’s child hostage)
- Using a person’s debt to compel them into servitude without defining the terms and limits of the service.
What Are The Penalties For Sex Trafficking?
Under Utah law, sex trafficking is a second-degree felony that will result in one to fifteen years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. However, if the sex trafficking charge involves a minor, it is a first-degree felony that will result in a minimum of five years in prison, with the possibility of life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Enhanced Penalties
Under Utah law, aggravated human trafficking occurs if one of the following occurs:
- Serious bodily injury
- Death
- Trafficking of a victim for over 30 days consecutively
- Forcible sodomy
- There were at least ten victims.
If one of the above occurs, an individual can be charged with a first-degree felony, resulting in five years to life in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
What Are The Defenses To Sex Trafficking?
A variety of defenses are available to individuals charged with a sex trafficking crime, including a lack of evidence. A statute of limitations offense is not available for serious crimes like sex trafficking. In Utah, there is no time limit for the state to begin criminal prosecution for people accused of sex trafficking.
Additional Resources
National Human Trafficking Hotline – This website shows statistics on sex trafficking throughout Utah.
Attorney General Website – This website provides information concerning sex trafficking issues throughout Utah.
Utah Sex Trafficking Attorney | Salt Lake County, UT
If you have been arrested for sex trafficking, a knowledgeable defense lawyer such as Susanne Gustin at Susanne Gustin, Attorney at Law can reason with the prosecution to develop a plea deal that offers only minimal penalties.She can provide the guidance you need to navigate the court system and fight the allegations against you.
To schedule a free consultation with Susanne Gustin, Attorney at Law today, call 801-243-2814. Susanne represents clients in communities throughout Salt Lake County and Davis County including Taylorsville, Riverton, Midvale, Clearfield, and Layton.
