This bill amends current New Jersey law to establish an affirmative defense for individuals charged with any offense under Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, provided they were victims of human trafficking at the time of the alleged crime. Specifically, the bill stipulates that a defendant can assert this defense if they can demonstrate that they were a victim of human trafficking and that their actions were a direct result of the trafficking offense committed against them. Notably, the bill allows for this defense to be claimed even if the prosecution for the underlying human trafficking offense did not result in a conviction.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions related to human trafficking and related offenses, ensuring that the affirmative defense applies broadly across various crimes, including those previously specified in the law. The amendments also clarify the conditions under which this defense can be invoked, reinforcing the legal protections for victims of human trafficking and acknowledging the complexities of their situations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:13-8, 2C:13-9