Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Chapter 30 - Human Trafficking
Section 3019 - Victim protection during prosecution


(a) Disclosure of name of victim of human trafficking.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, unless the court otherwise orders in a prosecution involving a victim of human trafficking, an officer or employee of the court may not disclose the identity of the victim of human trafficking to the public. Any record revealing the name of the victim of human trafficking shall not be open to public inspection.
(b) Affirmative defense.--An individual who is charged with any violation under section 5902 (relating to prostitution and related offenses) may offer the defense at trial that he engaged in the conduct charged because he was compelled to do so by coercion or the use of or a threat to use unlawful force against his person or the person of another, which a person of reasonable firmness in his situation would have been unable to resist.
(c) Diversionary program.--An individual who is charged with violating a trespassing, loitering, obstruction of highway, disorderly conduct or simple possession of a controlled substance statute as a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking, where the violation is his first offense, shall be given first consideration for a pretrial diversionary program by the judicial authority with jurisdiction over the violations. If the individual successfully completes the diversionary program, the court shall order that the individual's records of the charge of violating the statute shall be expunged as provided for under section 9122 (relating to expungement).
(d) Motion to vacate conviction.--
(1) An individual convicted under section 3503 (relating to criminal trespass), 5503 (relating to disorderly conduct), 5506 (relating to loitering and prowling at night time), 5507 (relating to obstructing highways and other public passages) or 5902 or an offense for simple possession of a controlled substance committed as a direct result of being a victim of human trafficking may file a motion to vacate the conviction.
(2) In order to be considered, a motion under this subsection must:
(i) Be in writing.
(ii) Be consented to by the attorney for the Commonwealth.
(iii) Describe the supporting evidence with particularity.
(iv) Include copies of any documents showing that the moving party is entitled to relief under this section.
(e) Official documentation.--No official determination or documentation is required to grant a motion under this section, but official documentation from a Federal, State or local government agency indicating that the defendant was a victim at the time of the offense creates a presumption that the defendant's participation in the offense was a direct result of being a victim.
(f) Grant of motion.--The court shall grant the motion if it finds that:
(1) The moving party was convicted of an offense described in subsection (d)(1).
(2) The conviction was obtained as a result of the moving party's having been a victim of human trafficking.
(g) Conviction vacated.--If the motion under subsection (d) is granted, the court shall vacate the conviction, strike the adjudication of guilt and order the expungement of the record of the criminal proceedings. The court shall issue an order to expunge all records and files related to the moving party's arrest, citation, investigation, charge, adjudication of guilt, criminal proceedings and probation for the offense.

Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes

Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes

Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES

Chapter 30 - Human Trafficking

Extra - Chapter Notes

Section 3001 - Definitions

Section 3011 - Trafficking in individuals

Section 3012 - Involuntary servitude

Section 3013 - Patronizing a victim of sexual servitude

Section 3014 - Unlawful conduct regarding documents

Section 3015 - Nonpayment of wages

Section 3016 - Obstruction of justice

Section 3017 - Violation by business entities

Section 3018 - Evidence and defenses to human trafficking

Section 3019 - Victim protection during prosecution

Section 3020 - Restitution

Section 3021 - Asset forfeiture

Section 3022 - Professional licenses

Section 3023 - Cumulative remedies

Section 3024 - Sentencing

Section 3025 - Data collection

Section 3026 - Concurrent jurisdiction

Section 3031 - Grants

Section 3051 - Civil causes of action

Section 3052 - Protection of victims

Section 3053 - Appropriate implementation for minor victims of human trafficking (Repealed)

Section 3054 - Services

Section 3055 - Victims in shelters

Section 3056 - Special relief to restore victim's dignity and autonomy

Section 3061 - Statewide protocol

Section 3062 - Specialized services for sexually exploited children

Section 3063 - Law enforcement training

Section 3064 - Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund

Section 3065 - Safe harbor for sexually exploited children

Section 3071 - Funding

Section 3072 - Nonexclusivity