Juvenile Sexting And Texting In Colorado

Cell Phones Are Dangerous Tools In Colorado: Sexting And Texting

Sexting and texting is a dangerous pastime for our children. Their futures could be put at risk. Curiosity and exploration are a normal part of our children’s development, but what they view as a “prank” or sexual exploration could ruin their future and any chance they have at being successful. Sex offenses committed with cell phones are becoming more and more common in Denver, Adams, Douglas County and throughout Colorado. Criminal Defense lawyers identify many criminal offenses which can be committed when using a cell phone, such as:

• Internet luring of a child – C.R.S. 18-3-306
• Sexual exploitation of a child – C.R.S. 18-6-403
• Internet sexual exploitation of a child – C.R.S. 18-3-306

What Exactly Is Sexting?

Sexting doesn’t have a specific definition, but the term refers to sexual discussion, innuendos, sexually explicit or suggestive photos and videos that are communicated or exchanged using cell phones. These often include an invitation for sex and/or a partially or fully nude photo. Sexually explicit images of children are illegal to possess, and sharing them over a “telephone network” and other electronic devices is prohibited – even by kids.

Sexting And Texting Can Lead To Sex Offense Charges

Your child could face sex offense charged even if they didn’t send a sexually explicit photograph while texting. Internet Luring is charged when a person communicates with a child under 15, discusses explicit sexual conduct and suggests meeting up for any purpose (it doesn’t even have to be sexual). “Explicit sexual conduct” includes erotic nudity or fondling, masturbation, sadomasochism, sexual excitement or intercourse. Each of the terms defined under “explicit sexual conduct” has its own statutory definitions, making the sex offense very complex.

Sting Operations And Sexting

Sting operations are common with these sex offenses. Law enforcement officers in Arapahoe, Jefferson and Larimer County pose as young girls in order to catch offenders with these juvenile sex crimes. They will engage in conversation online or over the phone. After gathering evidence and documenting the harmful communication, they will seize the cell phones of the kids involved in sexting and arrest them for one of these sex offenses in Denver, Littleton or Aurora.

Why You Need An Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

If your child is convicted of a juvenile sex offense after sexting in Arvada, Highlands Ranch or Thornton, it is vital for their future that you work with an experienced criminal defense attorney. If they were involved in sexting and their phones have been seized, or if nude photographs were exchanged which could be seen as sexually explicit, they could be facing harsh consequences. A conviction of a sex offense leads to the requirement to register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender treatment as overseen by the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB). These consequences are especially difficult for children and teenagers because they restrict their access to other children. They might even be required to move out of your home so they don’t have access to their siblings. A conviction for a sex offense after participating in sexting could have a negative effect on your family unity and child’s development.

If you have a child who has been involved in any form of sexting or other electronic sexual activity (such as internet chats, texting, or the exchange of sexually explicit photos), be smart, exercise your child’s right to remain silent (don’t speak with police) and contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer at the Sawyer Legal Group, LLC, at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your child’s future.