Practice Areas
Our law firm provides comprehensive legal representation across various criminal practice areas, including white-collar crimes, drug offenses, theft, and violent crimes. We combine in-depth legal knowledge with strategic defense tactics to protect your rights and pursue the best possible outcomes. Whether facing a misdemeanor or a serious felony, our experienced attorneys are committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process.
KIDNAPPING AND TRAFFICKING
Kidnapping
In Minnesota, kidnapping is described as removing a person from one place and confining them to another without their consent.
Kidnapping is a felony offense with serious implication with varying penalties, depending on the circumstances.
If are charged with kidnapping, and the person you kidnapped was released in a safe place without great bodily harm, and the imprisonment lasted for no more than 20 years, penalties include up to 20 years in prison and/or a $35,000 fine, as well as mandatory predatory offender registration.
If are charged with kidnapping, and the person you kidnapped was not released in a safe place, suffered great bodily harm during the course of the kidnapping, or the person kidnapped was under the age of 16, penalties include up to 40 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine, as well as mandatory predatory offender registration.
Trafficking
There are two forms of human trafficking under Minnesota law: labor trafficking and sex trafficking. “Labor trafficking” means using another person for purposes of debt bondage, forced/coerced labor/services, slavery/practices similar to slavery, the removal of organs through the use of coercion/intimidation, or receiving profit/anything of value knowing it was derived from one of the above-mentioned acts. “Sex trafficking” means using another person for purposes of prostitution, or receiving profit/anything of value knowing (or having reason to know) it is derived from using another person for purposes of prostitution. Both labor trafficking and sex trafficking are felony offenses with varying penalties.
Labor Trafficking
All labor trafficking charges are felony offenses, but the severity of the penalty is dependent on the circumstances of your case.
If you are charged with labor trafficking, and the person you trafficked was under the age of 17, the labor trafficking occurred over an extended period of time, or the person you trafficked suffered great bodily harm caused by your conduct, penalties include up to 20 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine.
If you are charged with labor trafficking and the person you trafficked died as a result of your conduct and neither first degree nor second degree murder applies, penalties include up to 25 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine.
If you are charged with labor trafficking, and neither of the above-mentioned scenarios apply, penalties include up to 15 years in prison and/or a $30,000 fine.
Sex Trafficking
All sex trafficking charges are felony offenses, but the severity of the penalty is dependent on the circumstances of your case.
First Degree Sex Trafficking occurs when you were acting neither as a prostitute nor a patron of prostitution, but rather as an individual promoting the prostitution of another. This can include solicitation or inducement. If you are charged with first degree sex trafficking, and the person subjected to sex trafficking was under the age of 18 years old, penalties include up to 25 years in prison and/or a $50,000 fine, as well as mandatory predatory offender registration.
First degree sex trafficking charges are more severe if you have a prior qualified human trafficking-related conviction, if the person subjected to sex trafficking suffered bodily harm during the offense, if the person was subjected to sex trafficking for more than 180 days, or if the offense involved more than one person subjected to sex trafficking. “Prior qualified human trafficking-related” offenses include first and second degree sex trafficking, labor trafficking, or unlawful conduct with respect to documents in furtherance of labor or sex trafficking. If you are charged with first degree sex trafficking under this subdivision, penalties include up to 30 years in prison and/or a $60,000 fine.
Second Degree Sex Trafficking occurs when you were acting neither as a prostitute nor a patron of prostitution, but rather as an individual promoting the prostitution of another. This can include solicitation or inducement. If you are charged with second degree sex trafficking, penalties include up to 20 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine.