A Grand Junction man was kept in a Colorado prison for over 16 years for a sexual assault crime he did not commit. He was exonerated (set free) because new DNA evidence implicated another person in the rape and murder of a young woman that he was originally convicted of. His case is very rare because exonerations usually do not occur in Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, Larimer, or Weld County. DNA evidence revealed the truth.

While this man was in prison he did not receive any job skill training because he was serving a life sentence. Often, people in prison for sex crimes like Sexual Assault (CRS 18-3-402), Incest (CRS 18-6-302), and Unlawful Sexual Contact (CRS 18-3-404), are sentenced to prison for a possible life sentence because of a Colorado statue known as Indeterminate Sentencing. This means that the sex offender has a minimum sentence given but no maximum date is ever set. Sex crimes have the potential to produce life sentences for the people convicted of them.

Colorado does not give compensation or monetary support to someone who has been imprisoned in the system falsely, but is exonerated because of DNA evidence. Colorado law makers in Littleton, Lakewood, Aurora, Englewood, and other cities are trying to change that, but have a long way to go. Unfortunately this man may never receive any type of financial support from the government to compensate him for keeping him in prison for almost two decades when he was innocent.

Don't take chances with the Colorado criminal justice system. They have been wrong before and will be wrong again. Being charged with a sex crime does not mean you are guilty, but means it is time to prepare for the fight of your life. Having an experienced criminal lawyer on your side will be your best ally to formulate the best defense possible using the evidence, especially DNA evidence. If you have been charged with a sex crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.