Child Sex Trafficking
Since Texas is a major hub for child sex trafficking due to the proximity to major bodies of water, the easy access to Mexico, access to major interstate highways, access to international airports, and many bus stations, false sex trafficking allegations are very common. On average, children are lured into sex trafficking between the ages of 12 and 13 and often, false accusations of sex trafficking involve children around this age.
Many times prosecutors and law enforcement officials will exaggerate or sensationalize the alleged offense in order to appear tough on serious crime. Child sex crime allegations do not necessarily have to result in a conviction.
If you have been charged with a child sex trafficking offense in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, the state prosecutor is required to prove every element of your alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt before you can be convicted. This can be very difficult burden of proof to satisfy, and any doubt in the mind of the judge or jury can result in a dismissal or reduction of the charges against you. Therefore, it is important to consult with an experienced child sex crimes defense lawyer to help you prepare the most ideal defense possible for your particular situation.
Dallas Child Sex Trafficking Lawyer
Contact Stuckle & Ferguson for a consultation about your alleged child sex trafficking offense throughout the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex, including the areas of Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Carrollton, Richardson, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Denton, Lewisville, and Arlington. The attorneys of Stuckle & Ferguson are experienced in defending false child sex crimes allegations and will make every effort to help you achieve the most desirable outcome for your particular situation. Contact Stuckle & Ferguson for a free consultation today at (972) 423-4405 if you have been charged with child se trafficking throughout Dallas and Fort Worth.
Dallas Child Sex Trafficking Information Center
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Dallas Child Sex Trafficking
Human trafficking is a form of slavery that affects children every year, with thousands of children being trafficked each year. Child trafficking often involves the recruitment, harboring, transportation, providing or obtaining of a child through means of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of a commercial sex act or some form of child labor.
Trafficking is defined under Texas law as:
- Transporting,
- Enticing,
- Recruiting,
- Providing, or
- Obtaining another person by any means.
Trafficking in Texas becomes child sex trafficking when a child, juvenile or youth under the age of 18 is involved.
Individuals who are trafficked typically suffer from some form of mistreatment, including sexual abuse, imprisonment and starvation. Trafficking offenses also frequently involves other crimes, such as rape, kidnapping, false imprisonment and violations of labor and immigration codes.
However, evidence of these types of offenses or abuse do not necessarily indicate a crime of child sex trafficking has occurred or even that a criminal offense. Since law enforcement officers are required to investigate any report or signs of mistreatment or abuse, it is important to hire an experienced child sex crimes attorney to help you prepare your defense if you are under investigation or have been accused of a child sex trafficking offense.
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Child Sex Trafficking Laws in Texas
According to section 20A.02 of the Texas Penal Code, an individual can be charged with trafficking of a child if they knowingly:
- Traffic a child with the intent to make the trafficked child engage in forced labor or services;
- Receive a benefit from participation in a venture that involves child trafficking activity, including receiving labor or services from a child the person knows was forced into labor or services;
- Receive a benefit from participation in a child sex trafficking venture or engage in sexual conduct with a child that is a victim of sex trafficking;
- Trafficks a child and causes the trafficked child to engage in or become the victim of, by any means, any of the following:
- Aggravated promotion of prostitution,
- Aggravated sexual assault,
- Compelling prostitution,
- Continuous sex abuse of a young child or children,
- Employment harmful to children,
- Indecency with a child,
- Possession or promotion of child pornography,
- Promotion of prostitution,
- Prostitution,
- Sexual assault, and/or
- Sexual performance by a child.
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Child Sex Trafficking Penalties in Dallas
The basic penalties and consequences for a child sex trafficking conviction are defined in Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code. However, the basic penalties can vary depending on whether the alleged offender has a prior criminal conviction, whether the alleged offender is considered a habitual offender, whether the alleged offender is considered a repeat felony offender, and/or whether the alleged offender used a weapon during the commission of the offense.
- A conviction for child sex trafficking is generally punishable as a felony of the first degree, which can result in a prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.
Additionally, a conviction for child trafficking or even false accusations of child sex trafficking can result in serious consequences, such as:
- A criminal record;
- Inability to own or possess a firearm;
- Ineligibility to be admitted into certain education programs;
- Ineligibility to be hired for certain jobs, occupations or professions;
- Ineligibility to hold public office or vote;
- Loss of certain professional licenses;
- Public humiliation or embarrassment;
- Requirements to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
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Defenses to Fort Worth Child Sex Trafficking
In certain situation, defenses or mitigating factors may be available to the child sex crimes accusations against you. However, it is important to know that defenses do not apply to every situation, so it is important to first consult with an experienced child sex crimes defense attorney to determine if any of the defenses listed below may be applicable to the facts of your case. Some of the most common defenses to child sex trafficking in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex are:
- Mistaken Identity
- Mistake of Fact
- Lack of Knowledge
- Lack of Intent
- Justification
- Duress
- Coercion
- Alibi
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Stuckle & Ferguson, PLLC | Child Sex Trafficking Attorney in Fort Worth
If you have been accused of child sex trafficking throughout Texas, including the areas of Collin County, Dallas County, Tarrant County, Denton County, Lubbock County, El Paso County, Bexar County, Nueces County, Webb County, Bell County, Travis County, Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County, Harris County and Montgomery County, contact Stuckle & Ferguson today. Paul Stuckle is an aggressive child sex crimes defense lawyer in Dallas who will make every effort to fight the false allegations against you. Contact Stuckle & Ferguson today for a free consultation at (972) 423-4405 or send an online message about your false child sex trafficking charges.