Sexual Exploitation of a Child is a sex offense charged in Denver, Arapahoe, and Jefferson County, and across Colorado. It is charged when a person is found to be in possession of child pornography, or when they are found to be distributing or creating these images. After a recent case, a Colorado District Attorney is pushing for harsher sentences for people who possess sexually explicit images of children. But, would longer prison sentences help protect our society? Let's take a look at a recent bill, and the debate concerning this law.

Does Prison Actually Protect Children?

There are many sex offenses in Adams, Broomfield, and Douglas County where children are actually harmed – Sexual Assault on a Child and Incest are perfect examples. When a person is found simply to be in possession of images (not producing them), and hasn't actually acted out towards a real child, is putting them in prison really helpful? In our experience as criminal defense attorneys who work many sex crime cases throughout Colorado, we don't think prison time is effective. Instead, treatment, counseling, and accountability seem to have the best affect for long-term healing. In these cases, prison should only be a last option for people unwilling to participate in treatment.

New Bill Harshens Consequences for Sexual Exploitation Crimes

A new bill has just been passed by the House and the Senate in Colorado, which would make the crime of Sexual Exploitation of a Child change from a class 6 to a class 5 felony. This means more prison time and higher costs to incarcerate nonviolent offenders.

Our Prisons are Full – Is it Effective?

While it sounds good to be “tough on crime,” new laws that push for longer prison sentences don't often consider the cost, or how effective it really is for a person to sit in prison. Did you know that the United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world? The entire world. Think about that. In 2013, there were 1,574,700 people in prison in the United States – 135,981 of those people are in Colorado prisons. The number keeps getting higher each year, as politicians push for longer sentences as a bid to the public to appear like they're tough on crime. And, the cost of prison is much higher than the cost of providing treatment. Does this strategy really work? We don't think so.

Get People the Help they Need: O'Malley Law Office Defense Attorneys

You need the support of the best criminal defense lawyer who will fight to get you the treatment and help you really need.

Here at the O'Malley Law Office, we work hard to help people who have been charged with sex offenses like Sexual Exploitation of a Child. We don't think sitting in prison, surrounded by other offenders and cut off from the world will help them overcome their addiction. Instead, we believe treatment, counseling, and attending support groups is much more effective for keeping our communities and children safe. If you or a loved one has been charged with a sex offense like Sexual Exploitation of a Child, don't think the District Attorney is looking out for your best interest. They only want the harshest conviction in order to further their careers and ingratiate themselves with the public. You need the support of the best criminal defense lawyer who will fight to get you the treatment and help you really need.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a sex offense, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact one of the best criminal defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.