Colorado Springs Sex Crimes Attorney
If you have been charged with a sexual offense in the state of Colorado, or even if you suspect you will be charged with a sexually-related offense, it’s in your best interest to obtain legal counsel now.
These charges are extremely serious, and the consequences are both severe and long-lasting. Hoping for the best without aggressive legal counsel rarely turns out well for those who are charged with offenses of this nature. Not only are the legal punishments life-changing, but these charges can and will have a deleterious effect on your personal relationships and career prospects.
It’s also important that you choose a criminal defense lawyer who is experienced with sex crime laws. These cases require not only extensive knowledge of relevant laws and case law but also require an attorney who is aggressively committed to defending their client.
Below are some of the common sex crime charges in Colorado Springs.
Sexual Assault on a Child
In Colorado, the age of consent is 15. The age of the alleged perpetrator will also be taken into consideration if statutory rape charges are involved. Prosecutors are typically very enthusiastic about pursuing these charges, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged event can be murky and difficult to convey to the prosecutor and judge.
Sexual assault on a child can lead to class 4 felony charges, which can carry sentences of up to 16 years and fines up to $500,000 along with sex offender registration. It is no exaggeration to say that being convicted of sexual assault on a child can ruin lives.
Sexual Assault Charges
Sexual assault is an umbrella term in Colorado law which covers a range of different offenses and consequences, including unlawful sexual contact. A class 2 felony, for example, can lead to an 8 to 48-year indeterminant sentence. This can result in incarceration or probation for life. Class 3 and 4 felonies carry lower minimum sentences but can also result in life imprisonment or life-long probation. Even a class 1 misdemeanor charge can result in sex offender registration requirements. These are not consequences that anyone should gamble with; having a Colorado Springs sexual assault attorney is an absolute must.
Felony Rape Charges
Felony rape charges in Colorado can carry hefty penalties depending on the class of the felony and other factors. Up to 48 years in prison and fines of up to $750,000 are not uncommon for class 2 felony rape charges. Felony rape sentences may also be indeterminate in nature, which means that a 48-year sentence could actually—easily— result in a lifetime of incarceration. These are incredibly high stakes for the accused and should not be faced without legal counsel.
Prostitution Charges
Prostitution charges and penalties vary a great deal depending on the role of the accused as well as their prior convictions. Soliciting to perform a sexual act in exchange for compensation is a class 3 misdemeanor, for example, but patronizing a prostitute is a class 1 misdemeanor that has a longer potential jail sentence.
Municipalities may have other, more stringent legal codes regarding these charges. Pimping is a class 3 felony in Colorado with much more extreme consequences—up to 32 years in prison. With experienced legal counsel, first-time offenders can often avoid some of these punishments. Multiple offenses require the services of an attorney to prevent receiving maximum penalties.
Sex Offender Registry Removal
Most sex crimes in Colorado require being added to the state sex offender registry. Offenders may also be required to register with local jurisdictions as well. These registries contain the personal information of the offender, including their address, photo, and details regarding their charges. The databases are open to the public.
Understandably, this can have a toxic impact on the offender’s life. In most cases, however, the offender’s information can be removed from these databases once certain requirements have been met. An experienced sex offender registry removal attorney can help navigate this confusing and tedious process so that you can move on with your life without fear of being found on the registry by acquaintances, neighbors, and employers.
Call Our Colorado Springs Sex Crimes Attorneys
You cannot underestimate the effect that being charged with or convicted of a sexually motivated crime can have on your life. It’s not just about staying out of jail. These charges can result in broken homes and lost careers. Prosecutors and the courts do not look kindly upon those convicted of these crimes, and it is critical that you have a true advocate on your side in order to mitigate the damage.
At Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C., our Colorado Springs sex crime defense lawyers know the relevant laws inside and out. We have a long reputation for aggressively defending our clients and doing so with expertise and competence. Send us a message online or call (719) 227-0007 to set up a free case consultation.