Enticement of a Child is a class 4 felony in Douglas, Arapahoe, Denver County or anywhere in the state of Colorado. Enticement of a Child is defined in C.R.S. 18-3-305, as a person that “invites or persuades, or attempts to invite or persuade, a child under the age of fifteen years to enter any vehicle, building, room, or secluded place with the intent to commit sexual assault or sexual contact upon said child.” This crime can also be charged as a class 3 felony if the defendant has been previously convicted of a sex crime on a child, or if the child is injured during the act of enticement.
Enticement of a Child is a particularly distasteful charge and the terrible images that are created in the minds of the public and jurors make it difficult to defend. Regardless of jury instructions given by a judge reminding jurors not to presume guilt, it is hard for people not to overreact. Sometimes anger is taken out on a defendant who may not have done anything wrong.
In October of 2012, there was an article in CBS Denver online about the Enticement of a Child in Parker, Colorado. I do not know if the allegations in that story were true, but the child’s story brought a lot of attention and fear to that community. If a child points a finger at an adult and says “he touched me,” the adult better get a lawyer, and quickly!
I have been a Criminal Defense attorney practicing law in Arapahoe, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson County, and all over Colorado for over twenty years. Children, just like adults, will lie when they think a need is more important than being a truthful. In working with falsely accused clients, I have seen savvy children lie to get away from a step-parent or other adult. Some are simply starved for attention, and know other kids that get special treatment when bad things are alleged. Some children fantasize about relationships that never happened with an adult, so they make up a stories they wish were true.
I have won cases where the above scenarios are played out over and over, yet still I hear people say, “How could a child lie about that?” I am amazed when people think children don’t lie.
If you have been charged or are being investigated for Enticement of a Child or Sexual Assault on a Child in Weld, Summit or Montrose County or anywhere in Colorado, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us at 303-731-0719. Together we can protect your future.