New Jersey

N.J. STAT. ANN. § 2C:13-8(3)(C) (2022).

• It is an affirmative defense to prosecution for a violation of this section (prostitution) that, during the time of the alleged commission of the offense of human trafficking created by this section, the defendant was a victim of human trafficking.

N.J. STAT. ANN. § 2A:4A-71(B)(11) (2023).

• Intake services must consider any information relevant to the offense when the juvenile is charged with prostitution or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to being a victim of human trafficking when recommending diversion.

N.J. STAT. ANN. § C.2A:4A-32 (2011).

• Requires services be provided for sexually exploited juveniles charged with prostitution or juvenile victims of human trafficking; creates a presumption of coercion under certain circumstances.
• If the defendant was under the age of 18 during the time of the alleged commission of the offense, there is a presumption that the defendant was a severely trafficked person who was coerced into committing the offense.

N.J. STAT. ANN. § 2A:4A-74(5)(B)(12) (2023).

• In determining the appropriate resolution of a complaint, the following factors shall be considered by court intake services:
  • Any information relevant to the offense in any case where the juvenile is charged with an act which if committed by an adult would constitute prostitution in violation of N.J.S.2C:34-1 or any offense which the juvenile alleges is related to the juvenile being a victim of human trafficking.