Trafficking Survivors Relief Act

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act establishes a legal process that permits victims of human trafficking to have certain criminal convictions vacated and arrest records expunged. This applies specifically to offenses that directly resulted from or relate to the person's experience as a trafficking victim. The law recognizes that trafficking survivors may have been coerced or forced to commit crimes as part of their exploitation, and provides a pathway to clear their criminal records for those offenses.

The law sets specific eligibility criteria for which offenses can be vacated or expunged and establishes procedures for survivors to file motions requesting this relief. It also allows defendants to argue that crimes were committed under duress by demonstrating they were trafficking victims at the time of the offense. This provides legal protection for survivors who may have committed crimes while under the control of traffickers.

To support survivors in accessing this relief, the law permits certain grants for legal representation to be used to help survivors seek post-conviction relief. This ensures that survivors who may lack financial resources can still obtain legal assistance to navigate the process of clearing their records.

The Government Accountability Office is required to assess and report on the impact of this law, including tracking how many human trafficking survivors file motions to vacate convictions or expunge records. This oversight provision helps ensure the law is working as intended and provides data on its effectiveness in helping survivors rebuild their lives after trafficking.