West Virginia § 61-14-4 Use of persons in debt bondage; penalties

West Virginia Statutes

§ 61-14-4 — Use of persons in debt bondage; penalties

West Virginia § 61-14-4

Ch. 61CRIMES AND THEIR PUNISHMENT

Art. 14HUMAN TRAFFICKING

This text of West Virginia § 61-14-4 (Use of persons in debt bondage; penalties) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering West Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

W. Va. Code § 61-14-4 (2026).

Text

(a)Any person who knowingly uses an adult in debt bondage is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than one nor more than five years, fined not more than $100,000, or both imprisoned and fined.

(b)Any person who knowingly uses a minor in debt bondage is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than three nor more than fifteen years, fined not more than $300,000, or both imprisoned and fined.

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(a) Any person who knowingly uses an adult in debt bondage is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than one nor more than five years, fined not more than $100,000, or both imprisoned and fined.

(b) Any person who knowingly uses a minor in debt bondage is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in a state correctional facility for not less than three nor more than fifteen years, fined not more than $300,000, or both imprisoned and fined.

Legislative History

2026 Reg. Sess., HB4433; 2024 Reg. Sess., HB4666; 2023 Reg. Sess., HB2252; 2021 Reg. Sess., HB2017; 2017 Reg. Sess., HB2318; 2016 Reg. Sess., HB2849; 2016 Reg. Sess., HB4489; 2016 Reg. Sess., HB4575; 2011 Reg. Sess., HB3044