Bad Samaritan laws impose a duty to help victims of sex trafficking by notifying authorities, by direct intervention, or both. These impositions are defined as “duty to report” and “duty to rescue” respectively. States began considering legislation to create these legal duties after it became clear that victims of sex trafficking were suffering in silence while their trafficker walked free.
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What Are Bad Samaritan Laws?
Bad Samaritan laws establish a legal obligation to individuals witnessing a crime to report it, or in the event an individual is in peril, render reasonable aid, so long as it is safe to do so. Failure to adhere to these obligations may result in criminal charges.
Duty to Report and Duty to Rescue
When it comes to bearing witness to a crime, such as sex trafficking, certain actions are expected of individuals witnessing the event. Depending on the situation, Bad Samaritan laws establish a “duty to report” or “duty to rescue.” Failure to do so is considered a violation of Minnesota’s Bad Samaritan laws.
Duty to Report
A duty to report requires anyone aware of an instance of a sex crime or human trafficking to notify the relevant authorities. The reporting person should then remain available and willing to cooperate with the ensuing investigation. Failure to fulfill one’s duty to report is a misdemeanor in most states and a felony in others.
Anyone charged with a failure to report may search for criminal defense lawyers for skilled legal representation. A criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with state-specific Bad Samaritan laws can assemble sufficient evidence and present strong arguments to convince the court to drop the failure to report charges.
Duty to Rescue
A duty to rescue is the obligation of a person who learns of an instance of human trafficking to take some sort of action. A “rescuer” is any person who through telephone or digital wireless communications aids or encourages an individual or attempts to aid or encourage an individual who is a victim of severe forms of trafficking in person. Failure to fulfill the duty to rescue may attract felony charges and imprisonment, depending on the state.
Bad Samaritan Laws and Sex Trafficking Cases
Bad Samaritan laws represent an ever-growing area of law in the fight against sex trafficking. These laws can increase the likelihood of these crimes being reported, thus disrupting sex trafficking operations. However, implementing Bad Samaritan laws requires careful consideration of legal, ethical, and practical factors.
- Legally, it would be important to clearly define what constitutes a failure to act, especially in situations where bystanders may fear retaliation from sex traffickers.
- Ethically, imposing a duty to report or assist could place individuals in dangerous situations, raising concerns about their safety and the adequacy of protections for those who come forward.
- Practically, authorities would need to ensure that people are properly educated about the signs of trafficking and their legal responsibilities, while also providing safe, anonymous ways to report suspected crimes.
Balancing these elements is crucial to avoid unintended consequences, such as discouraging reporting out of fear of legal repercussions or personal harm.
How Do Bad Samaritan Laws Apply to Sex Trafficking Rings in Minnesota?
Minnesota has several provisions relative to sex trafficking and Bad Samaritan Laws. Some of these include:
- Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse: Under Minnesota statutes, individuals are required to report instances of suspected child abuse, which can include the sex trafficking of minors.
- Duty to Render Aid: Minnesota statutes requires individuals to render reasonable aid to those in need. This could apply to sex trafficking.
Additionally, hotels and other lodging establishments are required to train employees on how to recognize sex trafficking. While the training is not a direct reporting requirement, it increases the chances of trafficking getting noticed and reported.
It is important to understand your legal obligations, as well as what resources are available for reporting sex crimes in Minnesota. With awareness of sex trafficking growing, it is entirely possible that more states will implement similar laws to combat this issue.
Minnesota Legal Updates as of 2024–2025
- New Child Welfare Reporting Law (May 2024): Minnesota enacted legislation requiring counties and agencies to respond within 24 hours to suspected child trafficking. This intensifies the urgency of duty to report and increases legal exposure for failure to act when trafficking is suspected.
- Adult Reporting Gaps Remain: Unlike for children, Minnesota does not impose a blanket mandatory duty to report suspected sex trafficking of adults, unless the adult is classified as a vulnerable adult under state protective statutes.
- Expungement Law Effective January 2025: Minnesota’s updated expungement statute allows individuals charged with certain crimes, potentially including failure to report, to seal their records if eligibility conditions are met. This is a valuable defense strategy in Bad Samaritan cases.
Who Is Mandated to Report?
There are certain instances in which an individual is mandated to report suspected abuse or trafficking. These instances can include any situation involving a minor who is believed to have been sexually or physically abused or trafficked, an individual practicing in the healing arts, social services, hospital administration, psychological treatment, child care, education, or law enforcement, and individuals employed in ministerial duties.
What to Do if You Suspect Sex Trafficking
When it comes to situations involving suspected sex trafficking, your safety comes first. Make sure you document everything you observed, however you should not attempt an investigation on your own. Reporting the situation to the authorities is crucial, and the sooner you report the incident, the better. You may also report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
What Are Some Signs of Sex Trafficking?
There are many things that can indicate that an individual is a victim of sex trafficking. These can include:
- Overly fearful, submissive, tense, or paranoid behavior
- Deferring to another person before giving out any information or answering questions
- Injuries or branding, such as name tattoos on face or chest
- Clothing that is inappropriate for the weather, such as short shorts and crop tops in winter
Where Do Bad Samaritan Laws Exist?
Currently, 13 states have Bad Samaritan laws. They are California, Washington, Alaska, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, Vermont, Wisconsin, Hawaii, Colorado, Ohio, Texas, and Minnesota. Some professionals throughout the United States have a legal duty to report injustices meted out to vulnerable populations or some injuries suffered by any person. Health care providers, for example, must report abuse and injuries to children and elderly persons from a variety of violent acts, including stabs and gunshots.
Can You Be Arrested for Not Reporting a Crime in Minnesota?
Yes, in certain situations, failure to report can lead to criminal charges in Minnesota. Mandated reporters who fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect may face misdemeanor or even gross misdemeanor charges. While not all citizens are required to report, those who are designated as mandatory reporters under the law can be held criminally liable for staying silent.
For individuals who are not mandatory reporters, criminal liability typically hinges on whether there was a clear legal duty to act—as in cases involving the duty to rescue. This is where the interpretation of “Bad Samaritan” behavior comes into play.
In a state case from 2019, a Minneapolis landlord was investigated after failing to alert authorities to signs of sex trafficking in one of his rental properties. While no charges were filed due to insufficient evidence of knowledge, the case raised questions about civil and criminal liability under Minnesota law.
How Does Minnesota Compare to Neighboring States?
Minnesota has comparatively broader language regarding duty to assist and mandatory reporting, especially concerning minors. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Wisconsin: Also enforces Bad Samaritan laws and mandatory reporting statutes, but its “duty to rescue” provisions are less frequently prosecuted.
- Iowa: Does not have a Bad Samaritan law but does impose reporting duties on specific professionals.
- North Dakota: Focuses on mandatory reporting of child abuse but lacks a specific statute regarding bystander obligations.
- South Dakota: Similar to North Dakota, with emphasis on child protection reporting rather than adult trafficking.
Understanding the legal boundaries across state lines is essential, especially for individuals living near border communities.
Real-World Example: The Epstein Fallout and Its Implications for Duty to Report
The Jeffrey Epstein case remains a high-profile example of how silence and systemic failure can allow abuse to flourish. In July 2025, a House Oversight subcommittee issued subpoenas demanding the Department of Justice release all Epstein-related files, including internal communications, grand jury testimony, and sealed court records. These files allegedly contain the names of powerful individuals and previously undisclosed details of Epstein’s operations and enablers.
One of the central criticisms of the Epstein saga was the failure of prosecutors and institutions to notify or protect victims. Epstein’s 2008 plea deal was negotiated behind closed doors without informing the young women involved, sparking outrage and a national discussion on legal transparency and victim rights. The DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General later concluded that key officials acted with “poor judgment,” and various organizations, including JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank, were sued or fined for ignoring red flags related to Epstein’s financial dealings.
While the case itself unfolded outside of Minnesota, its aftermath has triggered broader questions about accountability.
Lawmakers across the country have pushed for tighter mandatory reporting laws, especially where sex trafficking is concerned. The Epstein scandal illustrates how bystanders, whether individuals or institutions, can be complicit through inaction.
In Minnesota, prosecutors may now be more inclined to scrutinize what a person “should have known” and whether their failure to act violated a legal duty to report or rescue.
This shift has implications for criminal defense attorneys representing clients accused of Bad Samaritan violations. It raises the stakes in cases where circumstantial evidence, institutional affiliation, or proximity to trafficking victims is enough to build a case around silence alone.
Defending Clients in Bad Samaritan Cases That Involve Sex Trafficking Rings
If you’ve found yourself facing legal issues regarding a failure to report suspected sex trafficking, it is important to seek legal advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney in Minnesota as soon as possible. A lawyer can help you navigate the complexities Bad Samaritan laws present, including:
- Knowledge and Intent: A key defense strategy often involves challenging the prosecution’s claim that our client had sufficient knowledge of the sex trafficking situation to trigger a duty to report.
- Constitutional Concerns: We may also argue that overly broad application of these laws infringes on individual rights, particularly the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
- Reasonable Person Standard: In cases involving the duty to render aid, we often focus on what a “reasonable person” would do in the situation, considering safety concerns and other factors.
- Good Faith Efforts: For mandated reporters, we may argue that our client made good faith efforts to report or address the situation through other channels.
The criminal defense attorneys at Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys have over 25 years of experience handling cases like these. Contact us for help with your case.
