Surprising Sex Crime Charges in Denver, Colorado
When Simple Mistakes, Misunderstanding, or Even Ignorance Result in a Criminal Conviction
Colorado sex crime laws are unreasonably tough. In Denver, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Adams, Douglas, Larimer, and Weld County, people are being arrested and charged with a sex crime because of a simple mistake or small misunderstanding of the law. After their conviction, they have to deal with the serious ramifications of a sex crimes conviction. In Denver, Englewood, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Westminster, and all along the Front Range, there are some surprising sex charges you can face under current laws.
Adams County Indecent Exposure Charges for Urinating in Public
Urinating in Public can be classified as Indecent Exposure according to CRS 18-7-302, if the person reveals himself in order to cause panic or alarms others by his actions. The legal definition even includes the term “accidentally.” Indecent Exposure is considered an offense where one would have to register as a sex offender. A person coming back from a long night at the bar in Adams County after a few drinks, a midnight jogger in an empty park, or a homeless person who does not have a place of their own, may all be tempted to relieve themselves in public. Yet it is illegal to do so in Colorado, and few know the ramifications which could result.
Jefferson County Teens Caught Sexting Can be Criminally Charged
Sexting is considered a crime when teenagers or minors in Jefferson County exchange nude pictures of themselves using their cell phones. High school students may be surprised to find out they could be facing serious felony charges of Sexual Exploitation of Child (CRS 18-6-403) even though they are children themselves. The statute defining this crime was established before the popularity of cell phones, and the law has not caught up with our current culture. Until that happens, and even after, it is in the best interest of everyone involved to not participate in sexting in Lakewood and Littleton. Once a picture is sent it is no longer private and any compromising images could come back to haunt the sender and the receiver.
Charged with Sexual Exploitation in Douglas County?
If your computer is accessible to the public in Douglas County because of an unsecured wireless connection or if it is shared, it can be used by anyone for anything. People may use that unsecured internet connection to download child pornography or hold racy internet chats that would be traced back to you. You would be the surprised owner who is not aware of this charge until the police come to the door. Sharing a computer with friends and family can also have devastating consequences in Parker, Castle Rock, and Lone Tree.
If anyone has access to it and downloads indecent material, you can be charged with a sex crime. If someone buys a used computer, the original owner could have been in possession of child pornography which would be possessed by you, and you could be held responsible for all the offensive material on it. Persons who have sexually explicit material of children unknowingly on their computer because it is shared or on an unsecured wireless network could face charges of Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-3-405.4) or Sexual Exploitation of a Child (CRS 18-6-403).
Unlawful Sexual Contact Charges in Arapahoe County
A person can hit someone's back side and be charged with a sex crime. The law is so extreme in this hyper sensitive sex crime world that any type of contact may be judged a sex crime. Slapping someone on the back side is rude, disrespectful, and demeaning, but designating that as a sex crime with a possible life sentence, intense supervised probation, and registration as a sex offender does not fit the crime.
Touching someone anywhere can be considered sexual contact, which is defined as an actor touching the victim's intimate parts, including the buttocks, over clothing, and for sexual gratification. A person committing this action in Arapahoe County could face charges of Unlawful Sexual Contact (CRS 18-3-404).