To view the nomination form and for more information , go to : www . hillsbar . com .
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children to social services rather than into the juvenile justice system . Also , human trafficking victim safe house location information was exempted from public records to prevent traffickers from finding survivors in restorative residential programs . And in 2014 , lawmakers eliminated the statute of limitations for human trafficking crimes .
In 2013 , legislators provided critical relief for survivors who had received a criminal record as a result of the coercion of a trafficker . Under section 943.0583 , Florida Statutes , trafficking survivors have the opportunity to expunge undeserved criminal records , vacate related convictions , and continue their recoveries without the unjust burden of a criminal record . Florida ’ s law in this area continues to be a nationwide model .
Most individuals subjected to human trafficking emerge from the exploitation with significant legal issues related to , among other things , undeserved criminal records , debt accumulated under the coercion of a trafficker , and family law . The Justice Restoration Center 1 ( JRC ), a Tampa area nonprofit organization , provides pro bono trauma-informed legal services exclusively to trafficking victims and survivors . JRC has focused on criminal record relief , having expunged nearly 1,300 charges and vacated over 500 convictions for trafficking survivors since 2013 .
Human Trafficking Prevention Month reminds us that the legal
profession is uniquely positioned to a make a difference in the fight against human trafficking and to bring hope to trafficking survivors . Attorneys with an interest in serving trafficking survivors may contact JRC at 727-940-2282 . n
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Justice Restoration Center is a DBA of the West Florida Center for Trafficking Advocacy , Inc .
Authors : BrentA . Woody & JenayE . Iurato – JusticeRestorationCenter
2023 TRIAL & LITIGATION AWARD NOMINATIONS
the hCba trial and litigation section is seeking nominations for the following 2024 awards :
• herbert G . Goldburg memorial award
• michael a . fogarty memorial award
• James h . Kynes memorial award
• Court family award
the deadline to submit your nominations is february 1 .
To view the nomination form and for more information , go to : www . hillsbar . com .
The awards ceremony will take place at the May Trial and Litigation Section luncheon .
J a n - F e b 2 0 2 4 | H C b a L a W Y e R
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