Enticement of a Child and Internet Luring of a Child are similar sex crimes in Denver, Littleton and Aurora, Colorado. Though they're similar in some ways, it's important to know their differences and how you can be charged with one or both of these sex crimes in Colorado.

The biggest differences between these two sex crimes are:

1. The intent behind meeting the child

2. The means by which an adult communicates with a child

3. Where the adult plans to meet the child

4. What the communication between the actor and the child is like

5. The age of the actor (defendant)

The differences between Enticement of a Child and Internet Luring of a Child are important, as they determine exactly why / how you can be charged with these sexual offenses. Let's take a closer look at these two sex crimes and break down the statutes to understand them better.

Differences Between Enticement of a Child and Internet Luring of a Child

1.First, we'll look at the intent behind meeting the child.

Internet Luring of a Child, C.R.S. 18-3-306, in Denver and Adams County is a sex crime when someone makes a statement persuading or inviting a person to meet the actor for any purpose after describing explicit sexual conduct with the person and when the actor believes the person is under 15 years old and the actor is more than four years older than the person. Enticement of a Child, C.R.S. 18-3-305, occurs when a person intends to commit sexual assault or unlawful sexual assault upon the child after making an invitation or attempting to make an invitation to meet a child.

2.Next, we'll look at the means by which an actor communicates with a child.

Internet Luring of a Child in Denver and Jefferson County states that the communication (as listed above, under number 1) has to occur over a computer or computer network, telephone network, or data network, or by a text message or instant message.

3.Now, we'll look at what the statutes say about where an actor meets the child.

Enticement of a Child in Douglas or Arapahoe County, says a person has to invite or persuade, or attempt to invite or persuade a child under the age of fifteen years to enter any:

• Vehicle
• Building
• Room
• Secluded place

Internet Luring of a Child, on the other hand, doesn't specify a location where the actor has to meet a child.

4.The communication between the actor and the child is important, as well.

With Internet Luring of a Child, the communication with the child must describe explicit sexual conduct – sexual intercourse, erotic fondling, erotic nudity, masturbation, sadomasochism, or sexual excitement (18-6-403(2)(e)). This communication must occur over a computer or computer network, telephone network, or data network or by a text message or instant message. The actor must try to persuade or invite the person to meet for any purpose. The communication involved in an Enticement of a Child case includes inviting or persuading, or attempting to invite or persuade a child to meet the actor, for purposes of committing sexual assault or unlawful sexual contact upon the child.

5.Finally, we'll focus on the age of the actor. 

Internet Luring of a Child is specific about an actor's age. According to the Internet Luring of a Child statute, the actor must be more than four years older than the child or than the age the actor believes the person to be. Enticement of a Child doesn't specify an age for the actor, but the child must be under 15.

Charged with Enticement of a Child or Internet Luring of a Child? Call a Denver Sex Crimes Defense Attorney

We hope this blog has given you a more comprehensive idea of how Internet Luring of a Child and Enticement of a Child are charged in Colorado. Being charged with either of these sex crimes in Denver and Adams County, and across Colorado, is never easy. In addition to possible prison sentences, both of these sex crimes require sex offender registration and sex offender treatment in Colorado. You need a skilled sex crimes defense attorney by your side if facing any of these harsh sexual crime charges in Colorado.

If contacted by police regarding charges of Internet Luring of a Child or Enticement of a Child in Denver, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and call the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880 or fill out the “Get Help Now” form on the side of this page. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net