When I was 16 years old, I remember my parents let me have a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve and occasionally, I could have a glass of wine when we went to fancy dinners to celebrate big occasions. I believe that my experiences as a teenager taught me how to have a healthy relationship with alcohol and not abuse it. Nonetheless, I would never allow my children to drink before they are of legal age because now the criminal consequences of doing so in Denver are extreme. The world has changed and parents can no longer allow children to participate in family celebrations when they involve alcohol because of how the government has infiltrated family decisions and criminalized such conduct with the charge of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
In Adams, Broomfield and Jefferson county, any person who induces, aids, or encourages a person under the age of 18 to violate any federal or state law, municipal or county ordinance or court order, commits Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a class 4 felony, C.R.S. 18-6-701. Perhaps the severity of this charge should be tied to the type of offense the child was induced to commit.
The scenario I mentioned involving giving a child alcohol is common, but is not the most common case charged. Instead, we often see cases in Arapahoe and Douglas County where parents have allowed their children to have parties at their home where alcohol is available to minor friends under 18. Another common scenario I see involves the young adult who just turned 21 and gets alcohol for his friends who are usually 17 and younger. Unfortunately, in this scenario, the 21-year old likely did not know they were committing a felony which could have serious consequences for them for the rest of their lives.
Aside from a felony on your record, this type of conviction makes it impossible to work with children as a tutor, teacher or babysitter. In addition, these kinds of charges can also result in social services being involved and making a determination about whether you are fit to keep your own children.
If you or a loved one are charged with or being investigated for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Moffat County, Rio Blanco County or anywhere else in Colorado, exercise your right to remain silent and consult an experienced attorney at our office. We have spent years defending the accused against contributing to the delinquency of a minor across Colorado, and we can help you. So, be smart, do not talk to the police without an attorney and call us today at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.