566.206. Trafficking for the purpose of slavery, involuntary servitude, peonage, or forced labor — penalty.
It’s illegal to force or trick people into working against their will.
This law makes it a serious crime to recruit, move, or hold someone to make them work through threats, lies, or abuse — even for money or personal gain.
1. A person commits trafficking for the purpose of slavery if they knowingly do any of the following to make someone work under slavery-like conditions:
- Recruit, lure, or hold them in place;
- Transport or provide them to others;
- Use threats, force, kidnapping, lies, blackmail, or financial pressure;
- Benefit in any way (money or otherwise) from these actions.
2. Someone found guilty of this crime does not have to register as a sex offender unless required by other laws.
3. The standard punishment is 5 to 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
4. If the crime causes death, involves kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, or certain sexual abuse, the punishment is 5 years to life in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
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