Photo Of Kyle B. Sawyer
Photo Of Kyle B. Sawyer

Charged With A Crime? It Doesn’t Mean You’re Guilty.

Colorado Campus Sex Offenses & Crimes Prevention Act Lawyer

On Behalf of | Mar 13, 2013 | Sex Offenses |

Our law firm is frequently amazed at how our society has demonized someone convicted of sex offenses. From a drunk man pinching a woman’s butt in a bar to a college student streaking across campus, Colorado law makes it nearly impossible for a person to live following a “sexual” offense. Rarely is there any distinction between the truly dangerous from the thoughtless mistake. Now, colleges are in on the continuing punishment thanks to our federal government.

Did you know that under the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, persons registering as sex offender in Adams, Denver, Jefferson or Douglas County, Colorado for sex offenses (which is most everyone ever involved for any reason is a sex offense), must provide notice of enrollment or employment at an institute of higher education? Yes, that means every college or university in the state.

The University of Colorado at Boulder (Boulder County), Colorado State University in Fort Collins (Larimer County), and the Arapahoe Community College (Littleton, Arapahoe County) all fall under the jurisdiction of this ridiculous law. Our society has set rules governing where sex offenders cannot live (more of these), work (try reading all the jobs Colorado State law prevents offenders from having under DORA), and even what they can think. In an effort to provide a perfect world, we now make it really difficult to even get an education.

There was a time when I thought it was important to know where sex offenders lived and monitor them. Now, I see it as meddling by a bunch of government employees and feminist groups with nothing better to do. We are taxing Coloradoans way too much in order to “protect” us from the guy caught peeing on the side of a building in a drunken state – with no cost / benefit concerns.

Why do college students need to know if their classmate at CSU or CU is a sex offender? These laws operate to harass and demean sex offenders more than protect anyone. Offenses like Indecent Exposure, C.R.S. 18-7-302 or Unlawful Sexual Contact, C.R.S. 18-3-404, both misdemeanors, are not indicative of someone’s likelihood to reoffend. Yet, they carry the same sex offender registration rules throughout Colorado the same as the serious Sexual Assault on a Child, C.R.S. 18-3-405.  We need to differentiate sex offenders and restrict registration to the dangerous offenders.  Enough is enough.

If you are finding it impossible to rebuild your life based on your sex offender status, contact the experienced legal team of lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office today at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.