Bill > A4477

This bill establishes an affirmative defense for victims of human trafficking who commit crimes as a direct result of their trafficking experience. Specifically, the bill allows individuals to argue in court that during the time they committed an offense, they were a victim of human trafficking and the crime was a direct result of the trafficking they experienced. The affirmative defense applies to any offense under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes and can be used even if the prosecution of the human trafficking offense did not result in a conviction or was not pursued. This means that if a person can demonstrate they were forced or coerced into committing a crime as part of their trafficking experience, they may be able to avoid criminal prosecution. The bill aims to provide legal protection for trafficking victims who are often compelled to engage in criminal activities by their traffickers, recognizing that they are themselves victims of a serious crime. By offering this legal protection, the bill seeks to support and protect individuals who have been exploited through human trafficking.

Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A4477