Federal law criminalizes peonage, or a system or arrangement where you are forced to work to pay off a debt. The offense is punishable by decades behind bars, and depending on the facts of your case, it could lead to a life in prison. Please contact a skilled criminal defense attorney now if you or a loved one has been charged with peonage, or any other federal crime.

What is the Federal Crime of Peonage?

18 USC 1581 is the federal statute that makes it a crime for you to hold a person in a condition of peonage. Peonage is the condition or arrangement where you force someone to work in order to pay off a debt or obligation.

Please note that even if a worker “agrees” to work off a debt, the arrangement is still a crime if the worker is physically forced to continue working against their will at any time.

Peonage is considered a violation of individual liberty and a form of involuntary servitude under the Thirteenth Amendment.

What are the Penalties?

If you are convicted of peonage, you may face:

  • Up to 20 years in federal prison, and/or
  • Substantial fines.

Further, if peonage results in death, or the crime involves kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, or attempt to kill, punishment can be up to life imprisonment.

Can a Defendant Raise a Legal Defense?

Yes. People charged with peonage can contest the charge with a legal defense. A common defense is for you to show that you did not force the alleged “victim” into any type of working arrangement. Perhaps, for example, the “victim” voluntarily entered into an arrangement where they wanted to work to pay off some obligation.

Further, peonage specifically means forcing someone to work to pay off a debt. If the employment in question was not tied to a debt or financial obligation, then a prosecutor cannot prove peonage.

Contact Black & Askerov for Help

While a defendant can raise a legal defense to challenge a peonage charge, it will take a skilled criminal defense attorney to raise the best defense. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Black & Askerov have over 30 years of combined experience defending clients on various federal charges. Our Seattle criminal defense lawyers also have the skill and commitment that makes all the difference in these cases. Contact us now to get the legal help you deserve!