28 Jun The Consequences of Forced Labor in Arizona
Forced labor is a crime in Arizona. Using threats, coercion, or violence to make someone work for you is illegal. If you threaten to harm someone unless they work for you, or if you take their ID and won’t give it back until the job is complete, you are committing a crime.
Unlawfully obtaining labor or services is a felony, and the consequences are severe. Conviction can mean hefty fines, prison time, and the loss of many civil rights. Let’s take a closer look at how Arizona law defines forced labor.
Unlawfully Obtaining Labor or Services Is a Crime
In Arizona, it is illegal to obtain the labor or services of another person by:
- Causing or threatening to cause bodily injury
- Restraining or threatening to restrain someone against their will
- Withholding their government records, identification, or personal property
For example, say that a large farm hires a crew of migrant workers for the harvest season. However, they seize the workers’ visas, and refuse to return them until the harvest is over. The workers are forced to stay on the farm if they want to get their papers back.
This is known as forced labor, or unlawfully obtaining labor, which is class 4 felony in Arizona. Conviction for a first offense means serving a prison term of at least one year.
If the farmers in the example above transported the workers to their farm with the intention of forcing them to work, they could also be charged with labor trafficking. Trafficking is a class 2 felony, and the consequences are even more severe.
The Consequences of a Felony Conviction
Besides a mandatory prison sentence, a felony conviction also means losing civil rights. If you are convicted of a felony, you will no longer be allowed to:
- Vote in elections, serve on a jury, or enlist in the military
- Possess a firearm (although this right can be restored in some cases)
- Obtain professional licenses like a CDL
- Receive government loans, public assistance, or social services
Besides all the court fees, you may also have to pay court-ordered fines or make restitution to the victims.
- The maximum fine for forced labor is $150,000.
- Restitution can be harder to estimate, as the amount depends on the decision of the judge.
If You’re Facing Felony Charges, You Need a Certified Defense Attorney
When your freedom is on the line, you need a qualified expert on your side. Building a defense, navigating the justice system, and all the other work that goes into defending a criminal case should always be handled by a specialist.
A certified criminal defense attorney will:
- Build a strong defense and fight to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
- Navigate the paperwork and important deadlines.
- Prepare your witnesses and collect the evidence needed to support your case.
Here at Todd Coolidge Law Firm, we have over 25 years of experience defending criminal cases in the Arizona justice system. Our firm believes in a personal touch, meaning your case will never be shoved to the bottom of a pile or handed off to a lawyer with less experience. Defending our clients against criminal charges is our proven area of expertise.
If you are facing felony charges, contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/22/25).