If you have been accused of committing a sex crime in Colorado, you’re up against some serious consequences. To protect your freedom and future, it’s essential for you to craft the strongest possible defense strategy to fight back against your charges.
While the only way to really know which strategy is most likely to be successful in your situation is to consult with a knowledgeable Denver criminal lawyer, it can also be valuable to make yourself aware of the resources available to you and the typical strategies that are used to combat Colorado sex crime charges.
In this post, we’ll cover the penalties you might face, as well as the most common types of defenses that can work to help your case.
Consequences of a Sex Crime Conviction in Colorado
By definition, Colorado sex charges generally involve sexual contact without consent. They can include sexual assault, statutory rape, child molestation, sex trafficking, and child pornography, to name a few. Prostitution and solicitation of prostitution in Colorado is another type of sex charge, even though it may involve consent. This does not include escort services, which are different from prostitution services. (Differences Between Prostitution and Escort Services).
There are also other ways in which you may need to register as a sex offender, even if you didn’t know you were committing a crime at all. (See our blog: Is Having Sex in a Car Against the Law?)
If you are charged with a sex crime in Colorado, you will find yourself up against serious consequences like a prison sentence, high fines, and the loss of basic rights. Moreover, your reputation can be permanently marred by a sex crime conviction, which can affect your income, relationships, and future opportunities.
Additionally, certain sex crimes, such as sexual abuse or sexual assault, require a registry on the Colorado sex offender list. When you are on the list, your photo, address, and information about your criminal conviction are available to the public. This requirement can take a heavy toll on your ability to live a normal life.
Since the consequences can have a long-lasting, negative impact, you need to know the best defenses a skilled Denver sexual assault attorney can use to get your charges reduced or dismissed.
Colorado Sex Charge Defenses
These are the defenses that may work in your case. An experienced attorney will know which one will be best in your case.
Sex Charge Defense: Lack of Evidence
In some cases, false accusations are made about sex crimes. This can happen if there is severe conflict in close relationships.
For example, a bitter spouse in a messy divorce may accuse you of sexual abuse against them, the children you share, or their children. Another common example is a minor child who is rebelling against you and showing contempt through accusations of sexual acts. Law enforcement must investigate these accusations whether they are true or not.
A knowledgeable lawyer will work to build the strongest possible case that you did not commit these acts due to a lack of evidence. This can clear you of the allegations.
Sex Charge Defense: Mental Incapacity
If your attorney can prove that mental limitations prevented you from making choices based on sound judgment, you may not face the full penalties of the law.
Sex Charge Defense: Consent
In most incidents of sex crimes, a lack of consent is essential to make a charge against you. However, if you know that the plaintiff consented to the allegations against you, your charges may be reduced or dismissed. This can be difficult to prove, but a skilled attorney who has successfully represented other clients in your situation can help you argue your case.
How a Denver, Colorado Sex Crime Attorney Can Help
When you are facing sex charges, whether it’s first or second-degree sexual assault or indecent exposure, it can be hard to fight back on your own. However, an experienced attorney will be able to comb through the details of your case and come up with an aggressive criminal defense.
It’s important to speak with a lawyer as soon as charges are filed against you. The sooner you hire a criminal defense attorney, the more time you allow to find the right defense for your unique case.
Contact Criminal Attorney Jeff Weeden
Since 2005, Jeffrey L. Weeden has been practicing criminal defense law in Colorado and has helped countless clients protect their rights and freedoms as a respected, caring, hard-nosed Denver criminal defense attorney.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Weeden’s work has been recognized in numerous ways, including being named to the Top 100 Trial Lawyers list by The National Trial Lawyers, earning a 10.0 “Superb” Avvo rating, receiving Martindale-Hubbard’s highest peer review rating — AV Preeminent, and being asked to speak on several issues of interest to the legal community.
Additionally, he is someone who cares deeply about his community and those in need, and is an active member of a number of professional legal organizations, including the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center and Law Firm Pro Bono Coordinators.
A trusted advocate during his nearly 15 years representing those accused of crimes, attorney Weeden has represented clients throughout Colorado, including Adams, Arapahoe, Aurora, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, Morgan, Weld counties, and beyond.
Act Now—Call Attorney Jeff Weeden To Build A Solid Defense Strategy Against These Serious Charges. For a free initial consultation, call 720.307.4330. Phone answers 24/7 and collect calls from inmates are accepted.
