Child Trafficking Lawyer
Child Trafficking has many definitions and the elements required to satisfy the crime changes depending on what kind of trafficking is occurring. Trafficking in this case means bringing a child into a state or sending a child out of the state.
Free Resources from OKC Criminal Defense Attorneys:
Have you or a loved one been arrested in Oklahoma City? Are you concerned about your future following arrest in Oklahoma? Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by Army Veteran, John Cannon and we’re privileged to fight for client’s rights and freedom in Oklahoma criminal defense cases. Please review our other FREE RESOURCES until we can answer your specific Oklahoma criminal defense questions:
Have you been charged with a serious crime? Have you been arrested? Got warrants?! Worried about defending those charges or worried about how you can make them go away? Well it doesn’t have to be that way. Serious steps need to be taken to avoid charges from becoming convictions. If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need a defense lawyer right away. A lawyer can stop the police from contacting you directly. If you want to get this resolved so you can go back to living your life, CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604. We’re available 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week to schedule a Free Case Planning Session to understand your options and rights in an Oklahoma criminal case!
Oklahoma Statute
The statute for Child Trafficking is OKLA. STAT. tit. 21 § 866, which states “The crime of trafficking in children is defined to consist of any of the following acts or any part thereof:
- the acceptance, solicitation, offer, payment or transfer of any compensation, in money, property or other thing of value, at any time, by any person in connection with the acquisition or transfer of the legal or physical custody or adoption of a minor child, except as ordered by the court;
- the acceptance or solicitation of any compensation, in money, property or other thing of value, by any person or organization for services performed, rendered or purported to be performed to facilitate or assist in the adoption or foster care placement of a minor child, except by the Department of Human Services, a child-placing agency licensed in Oklahoma pursuant to the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act, or an attorney authorized to practice law in Oklahoma. The provisions of this paragraph shall not prohibit an attorney licensed to practice law in another state or an out-of-state licensed child-placing agency from receiving compensation when working with an attorney licensed in this state who is, or when working with a child-placing agency licensed in this state which is, providing adoption services or other services necessary for placing a child in an adoptive arrangement;
- bringing or causing to be brought into this state or sending or causing to be sent outside this state any child for the purpose of placing such child in a foster home or for the adoption thereof and thereafter refusing to comply upon request with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Provided, however, that this provision shall have no application to the parent or guardian of the child nor to a person bringing said child into this state for the purpose of adopting the child into such person’s own family;
- the solicitation or receipt of any money or any other thing of value for expenses related to the placement of a child for the purpose of an adoption by the birth parent of the child who at the time of the solicitation or receipt had no intent to consent to eventual adoption;
- the solicitation or receipt of any money or any other thing of value for expenses related to the placement of a child for adoption by a woman who knows she is not pregnant but who holds herself out to be pregnant and offers to place a child upon birth for adoption;
- the receipt of any money or any other thing of value for expenses related to the placement of a child for adoption by a birth parent, child-placing agency or attorney who receives, from one or more parties, any money or any other thing of value without disclosing to each prospective adoptive parent, child-placing agency, and attorney the receipt of any money or any other thing of value immediately upon receipt;
- the solicitation or receipt of any money or any other thing of value by a birth parent, an attorney or child-placing agency for expenses related to the placement of a child for the purpose of adoption from more than one prospective adoptive family for the adoption of one child. A birth parent, child-placing agency or attorney shall not represent that a child is, or will be, available for adoption to more than one prospective adoptive family at one time;
- advertising of services for compensation to assist with or effect the placement of a child for adoption or for care in a foster home by any person or organization except by the Department of Human Services, or a child-placing agency licensed in this state. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit an attorney authorized to practice law in Oklahoma from the advertisement of legal services related to the adoption of children; and
- advertisements for and solicitation of a woman who is pregnant to induce her to place her child upon birth for adoption, except by a child-placing agency licensed in this state or an attorney authorized to practice law in Oklahoma. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from advertising to solicit a pregnant woman to consider adoptive placement with the person or to locate a child for an adoptive placement into the person’s own home, provided that such person has received a favorable preplacement home study recommendation, which shall be verified by the signed written statement of the person or agency which performed the home study, and provided that no money or other thing of value is offered as part of such an inducement except as ordered by the court
Elements of the Crime
In order to be convicted of Child Trafficking in Oklahoma, the prosecution must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt. The criminal defense attorneys at Cannon & Associates are FIERCE ADVOCATES for every client and will hold the government to their burden in your case. In order to be convicted of this crime; the government must prove:
1) The Defendant knowingly brought, caused to be brought, sent or caused to be sent a child into or out of Oklahoma;
2) for the purpose of placing the child in a foster home or for adoption; and
3) refused afterwards to comply upon request with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children;
Oklahoma Jury Instruction #4-58C.
What the Skilled Lawyers at Cannon & Associates Can Do For You
Being charged with Child Trafficking in Oklahoma is a serious matter. The Oklahoma criminal defense attorneys at Cannon & Associates are Fierce Advocates for Families and Freedom and will fight for you! At Cannon & Associates, we have extensive criminal defense experience, and will be with you every step of the way. We will take care to explain the issues and options to get you to your desired result and support you in this difficult time.
Free Resources from OKC Criminal Defense Attorneys:
Have you or a loved one been arrested in Oklahoma City? Are you concerned about your future following arrest in Oklahoma? Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by Army Veteran, John Cannon and we’re privileged to fight for client’s rights and freedom in Oklahoma criminal defense cases. Please review our other FREE RESOURCES until we can answer your specific Oklahoma criminal defense questions:
Have you been charged with a serious crime? Have you been arrested? Got warrants?! Worried about defending those charges or worried about how you can make them go away? Well it doesn’t have to be that way. Serious steps need to be taken to avoid charges from becoming convictions. If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need a defense lawyer right away. A lawyer can stop the police from contacting you directly. If you want to get this resolved so you can go back to living your life, CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604. We’re available 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week to schedule a Free Case Planning Session to understand your options and rights in an Oklahoma criminal case!
Contact – Cannon & Associates: Oklahoma Criminal Defense
Cannon & Associates is dedicated to Fierce Advocacy for Oklahoma criminal defendants and will fight for you. Founder John Cannon has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and Top 40 under 40. Contact Cannon & Associates to protect your rights and fight your criminal case in Oklahoma. Complete the CONTACT FORM ON THIS PAGE NOW or CALL at 405-657-2323 for a free confidential case evaluation.
