RSSLos Angeles residents are accustomed to hearing about all sorts of crimes, from white-collar schemes to drive-by shootings. Still, the crime of human trafficking has only recently entered the realm of widespread public awareness. The California State Assembly addressed the topic recently when it approved a measure to clear the prostitution records of human trafficking victims.
In a city as huge as L.A., and with as much of an international flair, there are bound to be various forms of trafficking activity. Drugs are trafficked into and through the region, of course, but human smuggling is another unfortunate element of the city’s underworld. Some might be smuggling immigrants across the border, while others may be tricking or trapping young women and men into prostitution.
The latter group is likely to be most affected by the proposed legislation, which next makes its way to the state Senate. AB1585 is by Luis Alejo, a democratic Assemblyman hailing from Watsonville. The proposal is sponsored by Attorney General Kamala Harris, who has spent part of her career prosecuting those accused of sexually assaulting children.
According to Alejo, many individuals arrested for prostitution have actually fallen prey to human trafficking. The proposed legislation would let those convicted of prostitution petition to have their convictions expunged – if they are found to be victims of trafficking.
The expungement of a criminal conviction can be a significant event in a person’s life. A criminal conviction can affect one’s professional life, reputation in the community and family relationships. In addition, one’s ability to secure a loan or be considered for a job can also be diminished through a conviction. An expungement, however, offers a sort of “clean slate” from which a person can start anew.
This is especially crucial for victims of human trafficking, who have likely suffered trauma already and then must often cope with criminal accusations on top of such duress. Still, the current criminal justice system can sometimes confuse criminal offenders with victims of crime, and aggressive legal representation is needed when the authorities perceive a situation incorrectly.
If you have been arrested for prostitution, or related offenses, you should contact the Law Offices of Jonathan I. Kelman at 310.286.1218.