The Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) has a philosophy that people who are convicted of a sex offense can't be cured. We disagree with this belief here at the O'Malley Law Office. Labeling every person convicted of a sex crime as incurable is wrong; it doesn't take into account individual circumstances or the will to change. It is a false premise which the entire SOMB is built on, and underscores the reasons their program is ineffective.

The Colorado Sex Offender Management Board Philosophy:

–          A Behavioral Disorder that Can't Be Cured

The SOMB standards and guidelines state that “sexual offending is a behavioral disorder which cannot be ‘cured'.” Despite their almost 200 page guidelines for treatment, they don't believe that a person with a “behavioral disorder” can ever fully recover. In reality, this approach is taken out of fear. What the SOMB really fears is that a person who has gone through their treatment could reoffend, and therefore they would be liable. The SOMB guidelines say that “many offenders can learn through treatment to manage their offending behaviors and decrease their risk of re-offense. Such behavioral management should not, however, be considered a ‘cure,' and successful treatment cannot permanently eliminate the risk that sex offenders may repeat their offenses.”

–          Sex Offenders are Dangerous

The SOMB also states that “sex offenders are dangerous.” While this is true about many sex offenders, it is wrong to generalize about them as a whole. Each individual is different, and each offense varies in severity. The guidelines go on to say that sex offender's “behaviors are inherently covert, deceptive, and secretive.” The individual circumstances of people in Denver and Jefferson County should be considered before such a generalization is made about their behavior.

What We Believe at the O'Malley Law Office

Labeling every sex offender in this way does not allow for truly repentant people to escape the stigma of a sex offense. We agree with the SOMB in general; if all sex offenders were violent criminals who raped and assaulted women and children, then they should not be seen as “cured” following treatment. They should always be watched and monitored. Sex offenses vary in severity, however. A man who slaps a woman's butt in the bar after a few drinks should not have his actions treated as a “behavioral disorder.” A person who pees in an alley in Douglas, Arapahoe, or Adams County should not be considered a danger to society who “cannot be cured,” and whose actions are “covert, deceptive and secretive,” making him “dangerous.”

The generalizations of the SOMB are not just, and can destroy the lives of good people. The SOMB scare tactics are transparent.

A Christian Attorney Sees Sex Offenders Differently

Here at the O'Malley Law Office we believe that every person is redeemable. We will listen to your story. We won't label you as a dangerous criminal with a behavioral disorder. We won't consider your struggles as incurable. Whether you are facing charges of Unlawful Sexual Contact, Public Indecency, or Indecent Exposure, we want to help you fight for justice.

If you or a loved one is facing charges of a sex crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office immediately at 303-830-0880, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.

Related Resources:

Unlawful Sexual Contact – CRS 18-3-404

Public Indecency – CRS 18-7-301

Indecent Exposure – CRS 18-7-302

Sex Offender Treatment in Colorado

Image Courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net