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

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

Why Colorado Sex Offenses are Different

On Behalf of | Feb 8, 2012 | Sex Offenses |

Denver Defense Attorney – Sexual Offenses

Why Colorado Sex Offenses are Different from other crimes is important. Denver sex offenses such as Internet Luring (C.R.S. 18-3-306), Sexual Exploitation of a Child (C.R.S. 18-6-403) and Sexual Assault on a Child (C.R.S. 18-3-405) have very different management and treatment differences from normal crimes. Being familiar with these differences can make a difference in how you approach your charges in Jefferson County, Adams County, Arapahoe County and Douglas County.

Sex Crimes Lawyer – How Sex Offenders are Seen

Initially, you must remember that government sees sex offenses as dangerous offenses. They are especially dangerous because government cannot predict when an accused will reoffend. These offenders are seen as hard to predict and hard to treat. With theft cases, for example, you can treat someone for a bad attitude, train them to get a good job, or jail them to change behavior. You can’t objectively manage a sex crime offender. These people are thought dangerous because treatment and change is difficult to assure. Last, the sex crimes are dangerous because child victims are often involved. Children are viewed as vulnerable, and sex crimes can hurt them for years.

Harsh Treatment for Sex Offenses

Second, government employees are protective of their jobs in the Denver metropolitan area and throughout Colorado. These employees are worried that if a sex offender under their care reoffends, they will be blamed and could lose a good job. Since sex offense defendants are difficult to predict, government employees such as probation officers and judges will impose the most tight conditions available. This will let the government officials proclaim they did everything they could do, if someone commits other sex offenses. Only when they are convinced a person is not an ongoing threat, will the government back off of some of the strict conditions they put in place. They do not seem to care about the job losses or harm to families which their orders cause.

Sex Offender Treatment in Jefferson County

Third, sex offender sentences are harsh. The Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) has drafted mandatory offender treatment rules. These rules include where a sexual offender can work, where they can live, who they can be near (no children – not even your own), and what they can think. This list is comprehensive and does not acknowledge the differences in sex crimes based on their severity. A man who exposes himself will be treated the same as the man who makes a stranger sex abduction. We work with a set of sex treatment providers to limit the severity of treatment to some extent, but all treatment professional must adhere to comprehensive mandates. Sex offender registration will advertise your offense to neighbors, employers and friends. People will treat you like you are going to reoffend at any moment, and want to have you kept away from them. Employers will be concerned to have you working for them in case you expose them to a civil lawsuit. This makes it tough to have a good job and have a place to live.

If you have been contacted by police about a sexual offense, don’t give a statement and exercise your right to remain silent. Then, call us at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.