I attended The New York City Bar event dedicated to informing public about legislative and judicial process available to victims of sex trafficking that allows these victims to get rid of criminal history related to their sex convictions. The panel of experts, which included Melissa Sontag Broudo, Kate Mogulescu, John Temple, and moderated by Suzanne Tomatore did a fine job of informing legal and non-legal community about relevant laws and practical considerations. This article attempts to assist spreading their message to attorneys and those in need. In a nutshell, persons, usually women, can have their prostitution-related convictions vacated, if they have been victims of sex-trafficking. The vacation of these convictions may mean a loss of stigma that may go with a criminal record. Vacation may also translate to better employment prospects, higher income, and improved quality of life. However, to reach this goal may not be easy. Victims, and their attorneys, need to be prepared for labor intensive document preparation, corroboration of victims past through third person and other evidence, and the emotional toll it takes on unfortunate victims of sex trafficking. Prosecutors may be tough on the victims seeking removal by requiring corroboration of their statements. In the end,…
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