Winston Helps Human Trafficking Victim Expunge Record and Rebuild Life

Winston & Strawn partnered with the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) to help a U.S. Army veteran, who was tricked into becoming a victim of human trafficking, have her criminal records sealed so she can begin a new and better chapter of her life.

As a result, Chicago Partner Joe Motto and Associate Nasir Hussain were recently honored by CAASE for the life-changing impact they have had in our client’s life.

During the time when our client was a victim of human trafficking, she was arrested and convicted of prostitution several times. After escaping from her trafficker, she began taking college courses to become a nurse but her criminal record was a roadblock in her efforts to rebuild her life.

The Winston team prepared petitions to expunge or seal her records in three Illinois counties. State’s Attorneys and the courts in two of the counties found that our client is a survivor of human trafficking and is entitled to have her record sealed and expunged, but the DuPage County State’s Attorney objected and forced the matter to a hearing. After our client bravely testified about the circumstances that led to her becoming a victim of trafficking and how she has begun to turn her life around, the court granted her petition in its entirety.

“I just don’t know how to sum up the life impact this has for me. My experience with Winston & Strawn was so much more than just a legal win. The work you are doing is life-changing not only for me, but for victims everywhere who have been penalized instead of protected by the justice system,” said Winston’s client.

“To be able to help our client close such a horrific chapter in her life and continue on her path toward healing, unencumbered by a painful reminder of her past, is incredibly rewarding,” said Nasir Hussain. 

For more details about Winston’s Pro Bono practice, click here.