Sex crimes are some of the most aggressively prosecuted crimes in the state and can result in decades behind bars and other life-altering consequences. If you are facing serious sex crime charges in Colorado, you need an experienced sexual assault defense lawyer on your side.
I’m attorney Elaine E. Lukic. I have over 25 years of experience in criminal law. I am also a former domestic violence and sex assault prosecutor, so I know how these crimes are prosecuted and how to effectively defend you against them. Contact me today at 800-478-8859 for a free consultation. I’m available 24/7.
Colorado Sex Crime Cases We Handle
At the Law Office of Elaine E. Lukic, I handle all types of sex crime cases, including:
Sexual Assault
Colorado’s criminal statute CRS 18-3-402 defines the act of sexual assault as knowingly intruding or sexually penetrating someone under certain conditions. These conditions could include that the defendant knew they caused the alleged victim to submit to the unwanted act, the alleged victim was 14 or younger while the defendant was at least four years older, the defendant had supervisory or disciplinary authority over the alleged victim in a hospital or other institution, or the defendant committed the act under the guise of offering medical services. The crime is punished more harshly if the defendant caused the alleged victim to submit by force, threat of imminent death, serious bodily injury, extreme pain, or kidnapping, or by using drugs or intoxicants without the alleged victim’s knowledge, someone else helps to commit the offense, the defendant is armed with a deadly weapon, or the alleged victim suffers serious bodily injury.
Sexual Assault on a Child
Colorado’s criminal statute CRS 18-3-405 is charged when sexual assault on a child occurs. This is charged when there is any sexual contact between a person who is at least four years older than the victim who is 14 or younger. No physical force need apply for this offense to have occurred.
Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child
CRS 18-3-405.4 defines internet sexual exploitation of a child when a person uses a computer, phone, or other electronic device to communicate with a person 14 years old or younger to expose their private parts or to get the alleged victim to touch their own or someone else’s private parts while communicating with them.
Juvenile Sexting
Under CRS 18-7-109, juvenile sexting is a crime. This means it is illegal in Colorado for someone to receive pictures of a sexually-explicit nature from a minor, even if they are a minor themselves, or to send such images of themselves to others.
These are just a few of the sex crime charges you may be facing in Colorado. I defend clients facing other types of sex crimes, too, including sex offense probation and sex offender registration violations. Contact The Law Office of Elaine E. Lukic for help with your defense.
Penalties for Colorado Sex Crimes
A conviction for a sex crime in Colorado can lead to the loss of your freedom, damage to your reputation, and difficulty working and living in the community. Sex crimes in Colorado can be charged as municipal, misdemeanor, or felony charges. The potential penalties depend on the offense, the ages of the defendant and alleged victim, and aggravating factors, such as the use of force or violence, previous criminal history, and where the alleged act occurred.
Colorado law also allows judges to set indeterminate sentences for sex crimes in which they can select a number of years for the range available for the offense, sentence the defendant for up to life in prison, and let the parole board decide if or when to release them after they serve their initial term. Therefore, even if a person receives a sentence of eight years, they could wind up spending much more time behind bars.
Prosecutors have broad discretion in how to charge a defendant, so the potential penalties you face will depend on how the crime is charged, along with other factors. The various penalty classes for sex crimes in Colorado include:
- Class 2 felonies – These crimes are considered some of the most severe offenses, as they often involve serious bodily injury to the victim or the use of a deadly weapon. Penalties include an 8- to 48-year indeterminate sentence, lifetime supervision, and sex offender registration. Certain types of sexual assault are considered Class 2 felonies.
- Class 3 felonies – These crimes often involve impairing the alleged victim through drugs, alcohol, or threats of violence or kidnapping them. Potential penalties include an indeterminate sentence of 4 to 32 years, lifetime supervision, and sex offender registration. Sexual assault and sexual assault on a child can be charged as a Class 3 felony.
- Class 4 felonies – These crimes are not considered as serious as Class 2 or 3 felonies, but they still involve serious penalties, including an indeterminate sentence of 2 to 16 years, lifetime supervision, and sex offender registration. Intrusion, sexual misconduct when the victim is in the custody of law enforcement, or sexual penetration disguised as medical services are classified as Class 4 felonies. Internet sexual exploitation of a child is often charged as a Class 4 felony.
- Class 1 misdemeanor – These offenses carry a penalty of 6 to 24 months in jail and lifetime supervision and sex offender registration in some cases. Sexual intrusion, penetration of a victim who is 15 or 16 years old, or sexually patronizing a prostitute are Class 1 misdemeanors in Colorado.
- Class 3 misdemeanor – Certain sex crimes in Colorado that are considered less serious may be charged as a Class 3 misdemeanor. These offenses carry penalties of up to six months in jail. Lifetime supervision and sex offender registration are not required. Prostitution is charged as a Class 3 misdemeanor.
These are just some of the possible penalties for the crimes described. You may also face significant fines, the loss of certain rights, mandatory counseling, and other collateral consequences. It is important to consult our defense lawyer to see if entering a guilty plea for your sex crime or utilizing other defense methods is best for you. Learn about the potential penalties you are facing when you call the Law Office of Elaine E. Lukic for assistance.
Contact the Law Office of Elaine E. Lukic
If you are facing serious sex crime charges, you need aggressive Lakewood criminal defense attorney. I can carefully review your case and mount a solid defense, whether that involves proving the alleged victim consented, you are falsely accused, law enforcement violated your rights, or the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof. You can get started by calling me at 800-478-8859 or sending me an email to arrange your free and confidential consultation.