Las Vegas Human Trafficking Lawyer

Many Americans consider slavery to be a thing of the past. Sadly, it’s not. Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that is far more prevalent than most people realize, especially within Las Vegas and the state of Nevada. This pressing global issue requires awareness and vigilance from all community members.

The legal team at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys is determined to play a role in battling the horrors of human trafficking in Las Vegas. Our lawyers are committed to pursuing justice for survivors of human trafficking and eradicating it in our community.

If you’ve been hurt, compensation is possible to help you on the path to healing. Contact us today for a confidential and free consultation with a compassionate human trafficking lawyer.

Human Trafficking in Nevada

According to statistics from the World Population Review, Nevada has the second-highest rate of human trafficking incidents of any state in the country. In the Las Vegas region in particular, human trafficking can take many forms, including:

• Sex trafficking – One of the most common forms of trafficking, this practice involves forcing individuals into prostitution or other sex work against their will. Sex trafficking victims are often lured in with false promises, then manipulated and coerced.
• Forced labor – Traffickers may force victims to work in industries like construction, agriculture, domestic service, or hospitality. They have little autonomy or control over their work conditions or compensation.
• Domestic servitude – Victims are forced to act as nannies, maids, or other household help. They may work exceedingly long hours with no days off.
• Forced marriage – Traffickers coerce individuals into marriages, often by threatening to harm their families. This illegal practice facilitates further exploitation, abuse, and domestic violence.
• Illicit activities – Victims may be compelled into criminal activities like selling drugs, theft, or money laundering, trapping them in the trafficking network.
• Trafficking of minors – Because those under 18 cannot legally consent, any commercial sexual act involving a minor qualifies as child sex trafficking.

Las Vegas’s fame as a tourist destination with a legal adult entertainment industry can enable trafficking to proliferate unchecked. Trafficking of any kind is a crime, and perpetrators can be found criminally and civilly liable when caught.

Understanding Human Trafficking and the Law

Both federal and state laws forbid human trafficking. On the federal level, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act bans labor trafficking and sex trafficking, citing the 13th Amendment’s ban on slavery as well as Title 18 of the U.S. Code. 

Nevada law classifies human trafficking as a Class B felony. State laws prohibiting human trafficking are contained in NRS 200.463-468, which defines human trafficking as the purchase or sale of a person and/or the enforcement of involuntary servitude. State laws also have specific provisions against trafficking immigrants and children.  

Penalties for a human trafficking conviction at the state level include up to five years in Nevada state prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Upon conviction of human trafficking for financial gain, the maximum sentence increases to 10 years. Trafficking for an unlawful purpose increases the maximum sentence to 20 years.

Criminal penalties punish the offender and may provide a measure of closure for trafficking victims. However, they do not provide the monetary support that many survivors need to recover from their trauma. Fortunately, there is another legal avenue to pursue. 

Nevada law also permits survivors to file a civil claim demanding financial compensation from the responsible party. That’s where a human trafficking lawyer from THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys can help.

THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys: Advocates for Victims

The Las Vegas legal team at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys offers full-service legal advocacy for survivors, including filing civil actions against human traffickers. You may be eligible for compensation for:

• Medical bills for any injuries you suffered
• Lost income opportunities due to trafficking
• Damage to your reputation
• Physical and psychological pain and suffering
• Punitive damages

One of our skilled attorneys will explain what compensation you may be entitled to recover and fight for every penny. We aim to help you obtain the resources you need as you move forward.

Supporting and Assisting Human Trafficking Victims

Escaping a trafficking situation is incredibly difficult, both logistically and emotionally. At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, we aim to support survivors in every way possible as they transition to a life of true freedom. We can connect you with social services that provide housing, medical care, counseling, job training, and other essentials.

Our team also works closely with victims to secure compensation and restitution that can help them get back on their feet financially. Funds may come directly from traffickers or state victim compensation funds. Most importantly, we listen to victims’ stories with sympathy and understanding. Our goal is to empower survivors and restore their sense of dignity and justice.

Raising Awareness and Community Involvement

Ending human trafficking requires action from the entire community. THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys encourages community members to:

• Raise awareness at local high schools, colleges, and community centers to educate others on recognizing the warning signs of human trafficking. It can be hidden in plain sight.
• Partner with and sponsor local nonprofits that provide direct outreach and services to vulnerable populations.
• Urge the hospitality industry, ride-sharing companies, and truck stops to train staff on spotting red flags. Employees can be a crucial line of defense.
• Volunteer with local task forces assisting law enforcement in their investigations and victim recovery operations.
• Use all available platforms to advocate for stronger laws and regulations to crack down on traffickers. Progress requires public policy change.

By taking on human trafficking cases, THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys expands public awareness and sends the message that our community will hold perpetrators accountable.

We encourage everyone to report suspicions to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888). It takes a village to end trafficking.

Contact a Las Vegas Human Trafficking Lawyer Today

At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, we understand the trauma human trafficking victims experience. Even after escaping their situation, survivors often experience high levels of personal and financial distress. Our lawyers are here to help survivors reclaim their lives and their dignity.

If you are a human trafficking survivor, contact THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys right away. Your consultation with a Las Vegas human trafficking lawyer from our firm is always free and confidential.