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AB 633

Human trafficking: vacatur relief for victims.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Maggy Krell

AB 633 allows judges to dismiss convictions for human trafficking victims whose crimes were committed under trafficker coercion or control, enabling survivor reintegration.

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
#humantrafficking #vacaturreliefforvictims
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 633

Legislative bill overview

AB 633 authorizes judges to vacate (dismiss) convictions for individuals who were victims of human trafficking at the time they committed their crimes. The bill recognizes that trafficking victims may have been coerced, controlled, or under duress when they engaged in criminal activity, and provides a legal mechanism for relief from those convictions.

Why is this important

Human trafficking victims often commit crimes—including theft, fraud, or drug offenses—under the direction or control of their traffickers as a survival mechanism or due to coercion. Without vacatur relief, these individuals carry criminal records that severely limit employment, housing, and social reintegration opportunities, even after escaping trafficking situations. This bill acknowledges the causal link between victimization and criminal conduct, offering a pathway to restore legal standing for survivors.

Potential points of contention

  • Evidentiary standards: Determining what constitutes sufficient proof of trafficking victimhood and coercion at the time of the offense may be contentious, particularly when trafficking situations are complex or lack clear documentation
  • Scope of eligible crimes: Questions about which types of convictions qualify for vacatur (violent crimes vs. non-violent, serious felonies vs. misdemeanors) could affect the bill's breadth and prosecutorial opposition
  • Victim identification: Some individuals may not have been formally identified as trafficking victims during prosecution, raising questions about how retroactively establishing trafficking status should work procedurally

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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