North Carolina § 14-43 - 12. Involuntary servitude.

§ 14-43. 12. Involuntary servitude.

A person commits the offense of involuntary servitude when that person knowingly and willfully or in reckless disregard of the consequences of the action holds another in involuntary servitude. A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class F felony if the victim of the offense is an adult. A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class C felony if the victim of the offense is a minor. Each violation of this section constitutes a separate offense and shall not merge with any other offense. Evidence of failure to deliver benefits or perform services standing alone shall not be sufficient to authorize a conviction under this section. Mistake of age is not a defense to prosecution under this section. Consent of a minor is not a defense to prosecution under this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the laws governing the relationship between an unemancipated minor and his or her parents or legal guardian. If any person reports a violation of this section, which violation arises out of any contract for labor, to any party to the contract, the party shall immediately report the violation to the sheriff of the county in which the violation is alleged to have occurred for appropriate action. A person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. History (1983, ch. 746, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, ss. 23, 1146; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2006-247, s. 20(b); 2013-368, s. 2.) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2006-247, s. 20(b), enacted this section as G.S. 14-43.6. It was recodified as this section at the direction of the Revisor of Statutes. Session Laws 2007-547, s. 11, provides: "The North Carolina Justice Academy shall establish protocols suitable for the training of State and local law enforcement officers. The protocols shall be made available to all State and local law enforcement agencies so that the agencies may conduct training on: "(1) The phenomenon of human trafficking and State and federal laws on human trafficking. "(2) How to recognize and identify victims of one or more of the practices set forth in G.S. 14-43.11 , G.S. 14-43.12 , or G.S. 14-43.13 . "(3) Methods for protecting trafficking victims and possible trafficking victims, and advising them of their rights. "(4) Procedures and techniques for handling specialized needs of victims who may face cultural, language, and other barriers that impede ability to request and obtain available services. "Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the North Carolina Justice Academy to conduct training of State or local law enforcement officers." Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2013-368, s. 2, effective October 1, 2013, inserted "or in reckless disregard of the consequences of the action" in subsection (a); and added subsection (c1). For applicability, see Editor's note.