Massachusetts Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
According to a report on boston.com Norman Barnes of Dorchester, Massachusetts Kidnapped a fifteen year old girl on May 7th, kept her against her will and forced her to work as a prostitute. On Thursday the girl was able to escape from her hotel room. She went to the hotel lobby and contacted some relatives. One of the relatives got hold of a state trooper who was nearby. The trooper arrested Barnes. It is alleged that Barnes made the girl work as a prostitute in Dorchester, Danvers and Quincy. Authorities have also accused Barnes of raping the girl.
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It appears from this article that Barnes is going to be charged with Rape, Kidnapping and Inducing a Minor Into Prostitution at the very least. The latter crime is the only one with a minimum mandatory sentence. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272 Section 4A states that anyone who induces a minor to becoming a prostitute must serve at least three years in state prison. The law requires the district attorney to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the minor was not already engaged in the business of prostitution. This is a unique law in that it permits the defense to introduce evidence that the minor was in fact a prostitute prior to the defendant’s involvement with her. In most cases, the Rape Shield Statute prohibits evidence pertaining to a victim’s sexual history. At times prosecutors drop this charge and proceed with other charges that arguably keep the door closed on evidence that might show a victim’s sexually active or suspect past.
The Law Offices of Stephen Neyman has defended Sex Crimes including Child Enticement, Rape and Rape related Kidnapping charges. These are among the most serious crimes and anyone charged with these crimes needs a lawyer. Call us now at 617-263-6800 or contact us online. No one should go into court without a lawyer.