Florida Human Trafficking Lawyer
Human trafficking is an insidious and pervasive crime that exploits human beings and strips them of their freedom. Using force, fraud, or coercion to recruit or transport another person for labor or services takes many forms across the world.
From forced labor in agricultural fields to exploitation in the commercial sex industry, the Florida human trafficking lawyers at The Law Offices of Travis R. Walker, P.A., fight for victims. We’re here to protect your rights and help you obtain compensation through civil lawsuits. Our team will advocate for you in the courtroom and fight for justice against human traffickers. Contact us for a free consultation. We can discuss the details of your case and advise you on your legal options.
How Can a Florida Human Trafficking Lawyer Help You?
Florida human trafficking lawyers work to help victims sue for damages and obtain compensation using strategic litigation. Our roles and responsibilities as Florida human trafficking lawyers also extend beyond the courtroom.
If you have been the victim of human trafficking, The Law Offices of Travis R. Walker, P.A., can support you with the following services:
- Victim advocacy: We fight for victims' rights and interests. We provide a voice for those unable to speak for themselves and ensure their stories get heard. Our team also builds global networks with activists and organizations committed to eradicating trafficking.
- Legal representation: We offer full legal representation to human trafficking victims in civil lawsuits against the perpetrators and their enablers. Our experienced trial attorneys use strategic civil litigation to hold traffickers accountable, obtain compensation for victims, and address other legal issues during their recovery.
- Law enforcement collaboration: We work closely with law enforcement to ensure trafficking victims are not penalized for activities they were forced to engage in. We also liaise between victims and law enforcement agencies during investigations.
- Legal guidance for non-custodial parents: We assist non-custodial parents who have concerns regarding children who have been affected by trafficking. We guide them through the processes required to protect their children and fulfill their parental obligations.
Our experienced Florida human trafficking lawyer leads the charge in supporting victims’ rights and combating human trafficking on all fronts.
Types of Human Trafficking Cases We Handle
Human trafficking is a crime that takes many forms, each of which deprives victims of their freedom and basic human rights. Our Florida human trafficking lawyers support victims in a range of human trafficking cases, including several types recognized by the United States Office To Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons:
- Sex Trafficking: These cases involve the exploitation of individuals to engage in sex acts for money. Victims may range from adults to minors.
- Labor Trafficking: These cases involve forced servitude or labor, which can occur in industries such as agriculture, hospitality, and construction.
- Child Trafficking: This involves the exploitation of minors for labor or sex.
- Domestic Servitude: Such cases involve forcing victims to work domestically for little or no compensation and without the ability to leave.
- Forced Crimes: In such cases, individuals are compelled to commit crimes, such as theft or drug distribution, under threat or coercion.
Human trafficking cases in any form have unique legal challenges. Our Florida human trafficking lawyers use strategic litigation to hold traffickers accountable through civil lawsuits and obtain compensation for victims.
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Understanding Human Trafficking Laws in Florida
Human trafficking is a serious crime in the United States. Congress and the Florida legislature have passed human trafficking laws to criminalize human trafficking and protect victims.
In Florida, Florida Statute 787.06 defines human trafficking as the transporting, soliciting, recruiting, harboring, providing, enticing, maintaining, or obtaining of another person to exploit them. It covers labor and sex trafficking, making it a felony offense. Penalties range up to 30 years in prison or life if minors are involved. Labor trafficking also carries severe penalties, including significant prison time and hefty fines.
The federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act primarily focuses on prevention, protection, and prosecution at the federal level. It defines severe forms of trafficking and introduces measures to protect victims and prosecute traffickers. Penalties for trafficking include life imprisonment. The most severe sentences are imposed in cases involving the trafficking of minors or aggravating factors such as kidnapping, sexual abuse, or death.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 1595, sex trafficking victims can sue their traffickers for monetary damages in federal court. Meanwhile, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and Alien Tort Claims Act provide causes of action that may apply to the harm suffered by trafficking victims.
In addition, state and federal tort law provides several causes of action for human trafficking victims, including intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, assault, battery, negligence, negligent infliction of emotional distress, trespass, and conversion.
Thus, victims may pursue compensation for their damages through civil lawsuits against perpetrators and those complicit with the trafficking. Our experienced human trafficking lawyers will help you obtain compensation under all state and federal laws.
Victim Support Services in Florida
Human trafficking has profound physical, emotional, and financial impacts on victims. Florida empowers trafficking victims with a network of support services that may assist in their recovery. These services provide the care and support victims need to overcome the traumas of trafficking, including the following:
- Legal Aid: Florida non-profits and local legal aid societies provide pro bono legal services to human trafficking victims. These help victims navigate the human trafficking laws in criminal and civil matters.
- Counseling and Mental Health Services: Human trafficking has profound emotional impacts on victims. Specialized counseling services provide trauma-informed care to victims using individual or group therapy.
- Emergency Shelters: Shelters provide trafficking victims with immediate and long-term accommodations. These facilities may also offer support with employment or other life skills.
- Social Services: Florida’s social services can offer human trafficking victims access to food assistance, child care, and other resources.
Florida human trafficking lawyers connect victims with these support services to meet their physical, emotional, and financial needs. Our attorneys are here to help ease your journey to recovery.
The Legal Process in Human Trafficking Cases in Florida
A Florida human trafficking lawyer will hold perpetrators accountable through strategic civil litigation in state courts. If you or a loved one has been a victim of human trafficking, our experienced attorneys can help with your case against your perpetrators using several methods.
Identify Defendants
Civil lawsuits may target parties who directly participated in human trafficking or benefited from it, financially or otherwise. There are many potential defendants in a human trafficking case, including individuals and businesses, such as hotels, airlines, or trucking companies. Florida human trafficking lawyers work to identify all potentially liable parties to hold every player in a trafficking network accountable and to broaden a victim’s pool for compensation.
Investigate and Gather Evidence
The burden of proof in civil cases is “the preponderance of the evidence.” A Florida human trafficking lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation and gather evidence of trafficking and a victim’s damages. Such proof may include financial records, witness statements, and expert testimony that establish the extent of exploitation and damages suffered by the victim.
Civil Litigation
Florida law allows trafficking victims to sue perpetrators for damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Lawyers will use civil lawsuits to target key industries and entities that facilitate exploitation to target trafficking at its source and force systemic changes. Florida human trafficking lawyers may also use strategic litigation techniques to prevent further exploitation, such as by requesting injunctive relief against defendants and their operations.
Collaborate with Prosecutors
While civil cases are separate from criminal proceedings, the outcomes and evidence from criminal trials can significantly impact a civil case. Florida human trafficking lawyers monitor and collaborate with criminal prosecutions when possible to strengthen a victim’s case for civil damages and compensation.
Industries We Hold Accountable in Human Trafficking Cases
Human trafficking occurs across Florida’s major industries. Regardless of where it occurs, our team empowers victims with the resources they need to hold those responsible accountable. We use strategic civil litigation to target individuals and industries that facilitate human trafficking, including the following:
- Airlines
- Truck Stops
- Hospitality
- Social Media and Online Platforms
- Agriculture
- Transportation
- Construction and Real Estate
- Manufacturing and Sweatshops
- Beauty and Personal Care
- Technology and Electronics
- Entertainment and Adult
- Retail and Fashion
Those complicit with trafficking can be held liable in a civil lawsuit. We fight for the rights of trafficking victims against those who benefited from their victimization.
Contact a Florida Human Trafficking Lawyer Today
The Law Offices of Travis R. Walker, P.A., has successfully supported victims in suing human traffickers for damages and obtaining compensation across Florida’s Treasure Coast, including in Martin, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties.
If you or a loved one has been affected by human trafficking in Florida, we can help. We can pursue the compensation and provide the support you need to recover. Together, we can use the power of civil litigation to dismantle the networks that sustain human trafficking operations and eradicate the plague of human trafficking worldwide.
Contact us online or at 772-325-1860 to hold human traffickers and their enablers accountable for the damages and harm.