2020 West Virginia Code
Chapter 61. Crimes and Their Punishment
Article 14. Human Trafficking
§61-14-8. Immunity for Minor Victim of Sex Trafficking
(a) In a prosecution or a juvenile prosecution for an offense of prostitution in violation of subsection (b), section five, article eight of this chapter, a minor shall not be held criminally liable if the Court determines that the minor is a victim of an offense under this article: Provided, That subject to proof, a minor so charged shall be rebuttably presumed to be a victim under the provisions of this article.
(b) This section does not apply in a prosecution or a juvenile proceeding for any of the other offenses under subsection (b), section five, article eight of this chapter, including specifically soliciting, inducing, enticing or procuring another to commit an act or offense of prostitution, unless it is determined by the court that the minor was coerced into the criminal behavior.
(c) A minor who, under subsection (a) or (b) of this section, is not subject to criminal liability or adjudication as a juvenile delinquent is presumed to be an abused child, as defined in section two-hundred-one, article one, chapter forty-nine of this code, and may be eligible for services under chapter forty-nine of this code including, but not limited to, appropriate child welfare services.
