In Jefferson, Arapahoe and Boulder County, any person who aids or encourages a minor to commit any crime can be charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. This is one of the broader charges in the criminal code and can be used in wide range of contexts from helping a child get and consume alcohol to encouraging a child to engage in a sexual act and everything in between. While the most common context involves the use of alcohol, this statute can be made to apply to any situation where an adult is believed to encourage a minor to commit a crime.
What are the Elements of This Felony Crime?
Colorado Revised Statute 18-6-701 essentially states that if any adult “induces, aids, or encourages” a minor to violate a state, federal, county, or municipal law, they are guilty of this crime. If you face contributing charges, you may believe the charges are not serious. Think again. In Colorado, contributing to a minor is a felony crime, regardless of whether the crime the adult helped the minor commit was classified as a felony or not.
The Consequences of a Felony Conviction for Contributing to the Delinquency
Individuals charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Arapahoe, Jefferson and Adams County face serious repercussions. Namely a conviction of this nature, aside from the felony consequences, can affect your ability to be employed in an arena involving minor children and it could have devastating effects on child custody disputes or divorce actions. Additionally, this charge may give rise to social services or the Department of Human Services investigating a dependency and neglect action which could result in additional consequences affecting your parental rights.
If you or a loved one is accused of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, take the allegations very seriously, as they can and will affect you for years to come. Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor cases can involve complicated proof issues, defenses and sentencing and require an experienced attorney. We have spent years defending the accused against Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor charges in Douglas and Adams County, and we can help you too. So, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us today at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.