What to Do If You’re Charged With a Sex Crime

There’s only one thing you need to do if you’re accused of a sex crime in Colorado: retain a Colorado criminal defense attorney pronto. Retaining an attorney with a proven track record in successfully winning sex crime cases is even better. Even if you are innocent, you’re better of letting your attorney tell your side of the story than approaching your accuser yourself and trying to clear up a “misunderstanding”.

Sex crimes encompass offenses such as sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, indecent exposure, sexual assault of a child, incest, using the Internet to sexually exploit a child, using the Internet to lure a child, sexual assault of a child by a person in a position of trust, and failure to register as a sex offender. Committing a sex crime in Colorado is a Class 2 to Class 6 felony depending on the offense committed, except for indecent exposure and unlawful sexual contact without force, intimidation or threats–these are Class 1 misdemeanors.

Persons convicted of sex offenses in Colorado must register as a sex offender. Registration on the sex offender registry remains in effect for the remainder of the offender’s life. Sex offenders granted probation remain on probation for life and must undergo treatment for their specific sex offense for a specified length of time. A sex offender in Colorado is prohibited from contact with children under 18, even their own children. Failing or refusing to register as a sex offender is a Class 6 felony if offense is unlawful sexual behavior. Second or subsequent failure to register as a sex offender is a Class 5 felony.

Your Colorado criminal defense attorney will review all the evidence pertaining to your case, including witness and police statements. It is imperative that you be totally honest with your defense attorney, even if it means divulging information you feel may make you appear guilty. Let your attorney decide what details should be presented in your defense and what details are irrelevant. Remember, your defense attorney wants you to win your case, not lose it.