Sexual Assault – Position of Trust is a serious offense that involves any sexual contact between a minor under 18 and their supervisor, teacher, coach, or pastor. Charges in Denver often result from inappropriate relationships or troubled teens and adults crossing boundaries with one another. Last month, a former 21-year-old athletic club employee was arrested in Colorado after allegedly initiating sexual contact with two juveniles. Accusations such as these can lead to devastating consequences and require contacting an experienced sex crimes defense attorney right away.

Who is Considered a Position of Trust in Colorado?

Sex offenses involving someone considered a position of trust carry extra weight due to the person's supervisory role in regards to juveniles. C.R.S. 18-3-405.3 defines the specific details of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust in Colorado. An adult commits this offense if they:

• knowingly have sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18,
• AND are in any way responsible for that minor's health, welfare, education, or supervision

The list of those who fall under the umbrella “position of trust” is lengthy, but includes roles such as teachers, coaches, pastors, school employees, babysitters, stepparents, counselors, and doctors. While the age of consent in Colorado is 17, this doesn't apply when the adult is in a position of trust in respect to the juvenile. Additionally, the age of the adult (anyone 18 or older) involved is irrelevant, unlike some other sex crimes involving teenagers.

Sexual Assault – Position of Trust Sentencing in Denver

A conviction of sexual assault on a child as a position of trust can come with particularly harsh, lifelong consequences. Potential criminal penalties for this felony offense include:

• 2 – 12 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections,
• fines of $2,000 – $750,000
• registration as a sex offender,
• sex offender treatment,
• sex offender intensive supervised probation (SOISP)

The longer prison sentences sometimes result from situations where the victim is under 15 years of age or there is a pattern of abuse (repeated sexual contact). After periods of incarceration, registered sex offenders face immobilizing daily obstacles due to the strict supervision of parole / probation. It isn't uncommon for this extreme isolation to lead to very poor mental health, as well as a significant lack of opportunities to move forward.

Denver Sexual Assault Position of Trust Defense Attorney

Accepting any job where a person is a position of trust in regards to teenagers and children carries great risk in Colorado, especially for those in their 20s. False allegations aren't uncommon, and neither are embellishment and exaggeration. While there are situations where harmful abuse does occur, other scenarios exist where teenagers lie or manufacture claims as motivation to destroy someone's reputation or avoid culpability. If facing an accusation or charge of sexual assault on a child by a position of trust, we recommend that you:

1. Exercise your right to remain silent by not providing police with statements of any kind,
2. Avoid talking about your situation with friends or electronically by text, email, or on social media,
3. Contact Denver's best sexual assault defense attorneys as soon as possible

If you or someone you know is facing sexual assault charges as a position of trust, be smart. Contact the strategic criminal defense attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.

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