Slavery

Legal defence in slavery cases

The offence of slavery (Article 209 of the Criminal Code) is one of the most serious acts against personal liberty. It consists of exercising some or all powers of ownership over a person, such as buying, selling, hiring or holding a human being, or reducing a person to slavery. Criminal law punishes this act extremely severely, with 5 to 12 years’ imprisonment and prohibition of the exercise of certain rights. Given the major social and legal impact, assistance from a criminal defence lawyer is absolutely essential from the earliest stages of the investigation.

Analysis of the constituent elements and defence strategies

A defence in a slavery case must examine the actual control exercised over the person: freedom of movement and to end the relationship, retention of identity documents, threats, dependency and living conditions. A contract, remuneration or provision of food and shelter do not by themselves exclude a state of slavery. Conversely, a wage dispute or poor conditions do not automatically prove this offence. We analyse documents, statements and the specific situation to seek the classification and outcome supported by evidence. Suspension of the sentence is excluded for Article 209 by Article 91(3²), so the strategy must not be built on a promise of a suspended sentence.

Urgent legal assistance in Focșani and Vrancea county

Slavery cases are investigated by specialised bodies and involve an imminent risk of custodial preventive measures, such as pre-trial detention. The Law Office of Lawyer Basuc Cosmin in Focșani provides a technical, rigorous and highly responsive defence before criminal prosecution bodies in Vrancea County. We urgently assist at interviews, carefully analyse witness statements and social investigation reports and provide firm representation before Vrancea Tribunal to rebut unfounded accusations and protect your procedural rights and liberty.