Thanks 13Buddha for taking the time and trouble to look up the indictment and statutes. How can anyone make sense of the laws without a PhD in English! Or do these laws even follow the rules of constructing a sentence. Ambiguity invites appeals.
But I have to agree with @Exposethecriminals and @AreWeSure that Sec. 1591 does not apply exclusively to children. Sec 1581 thru 1596 is a comprehensive law covering all kinds of human trafficking, including slavery, identured servitude, etc not just sexual trafficking and applies to children and adults. Sec. 1591 sets forth the punishment for these crimes.
My interpretation is where force, threats, coersion or fraud is used (as opposed to enticement ) OR if the victim is a child not yet 14, the minimum sentence is 15 years and if the child is over 14 the minimum sentence is 10 years. This was poorly drafted in my opinion. What is the sentence for trafficking an adult without force, threats, fraud or coercion?
The prosecutor alleges that force was used which triggers the 15 year minimum sentence.
Sentences for each offence and/or each victim can run concurrently or consecutively. Let's hope for the consecutive outcome of 15 years per victim. The act of branding these women constitutes force which should negate any defense that these women came to him willingly.
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Pizzalawyer ago
Thanks 13Buddha for taking the time and trouble to look up the indictment and statutes. How can anyone make sense of the laws without a PhD in English! Or do these laws even follow the rules of constructing a sentence. Ambiguity invites appeals.
But I have to agree with @Exposethecriminals and @AreWeSure that Sec. 1591 does not apply exclusively to children. Sec 1581 thru 1596 is a comprehensive law covering all kinds of human trafficking, including slavery, identured servitude, etc not just sexual trafficking and applies to children and adults. Sec. 1591 sets forth the punishment for these crimes.
My interpretation is where force, threats, coersion or fraud is used (as opposed to enticement ) OR if the victim is a child not yet 14, the minimum sentence is 15 years and if the child is over 14 the minimum sentence is 10 years. This was poorly drafted in my opinion. What is the sentence for trafficking an adult without force, threats, fraud or coercion?
The prosecutor alleges that force was used which triggers the 15 year minimum sentence.
13Buddha ago
Thanks, @Pizzalawyer, for this info. Guess we can only hope that justice will be served and that Raniere, especially, is behind bars forever.
Pizzalawyer ago
Sentences for each offence and/or each victim can run concurrently or consecutively. Let's hope for the consecutive outcome of 15 years per victim. The act of branding these women constitutes force which should negate any defense that these women came to him willingly.