Three Kent Denver students are dealing with a sexual assault investigation from Vail police because of accusations of Juvenile Sexual Assault on New Years. If the Vail police come up with a solid case, these three students could face serious juvenile sex crime charges. Colorado counties like Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, Weld, Larimer, and in this case Eagle, are not forgiving of sexual assault charges, even against minors and juveniles.

One reason there are many cases of Juvenile sexual assaults is that crimes that were not prosecuted against teens and children years ago now are, putting kids at risk for huge consequences. Teens and youths in cities like Denver, Englewood, Aurora, Arvada, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Colorado Springs, and across the Front Range, are armed with cell phones and have access to computers with high speed internet and web cameras.  Juveniles and minors can communicate to more people faster and without any supervision. Teens are getting in trouble using these electronics and, if they are caught using them inappropriately, face charges with very serious adult consequences.

Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-3-405.4) used to deal more with child pornography, but the culture has changed so that, now, an underage girl sending nude or sexually suggestive pictures to her boyfriend is now guilty of distributing child pornography, even if the picture is of herself. The person who receives the picture is guilty of possession of child pornography, even though they may not even have asked for the picture in the first place.

Age of consent laws also worsen juvenile sex crime laws. It is against the law for anyone under fifteen to have sex, regardless if they gave their consent or not, and anyone who has sex with them could face criminal charges. An older teen boy that has consensual sex with his underage girlfriend will face charges of Juvenile Sexual Assault on a Child (CRS 18-3-405), no different from an adult who forces a young child to have sex with them.

There may not be more kids engaging in sexually explicit activity, but there are more laws that govern what is and what is not proper sexual activity for juveniles. Sexually explicit material is now created by teens and sent or received in text messages and video chats that can easily be documented and criminalized. Grabbing someone inappropriately at school is now a very serious sex offense. The consequences for these laws are harsh for a juvenile, and a mistake made in the early teen years may require sex offender registry and a permanent record.

A child does not realize the seriousness of a sex crime charge or conviction. Possible prison, treatment, strict probation, and registering as a sex offender could come from hasty decisions made by kids. Juvenile sex crimes are serious, and the teens and youths that commit them need to be as prepared to fight them as adult sex offenders. If you are afraid your child might face charges of a sex crime, make sure they exercise their right to remain silent and call the experienced and aggressive attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your child's future.