Sexual acts that involve intrusion or penetration can lead to sexual assault charges in Denver, Montbello, and Green Valley Ranch. If claims are made that vaginal, oral, or anal sex occurred with force or without consent, law enforcement usually begins an investigation that can end with your arrest. This felony sex crime can carry anywhere from 2 years to life in prison for defendants throughout Colorado. If you’ve been accused of a crime like this, don’t talk to the police. Contact a Denver sexual assault defense attorney from Sawyer Legal Group as soon as you can.
What Exactly is Sexual Assault in Denver?
Headlines can be misleading. Sometimes the nightly news and their websites label cases as sexual assault that don’t involve intrusion or penetration. In an attempt to get more viewers and clicks, they sometimes misuse legal terminology. CRS 18-3-402 defines sexual assault in Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe County. Police will pursue a sex assault charge if they believe you:
- performed an act of vaginal intercourse, oral copulation, anal sex, anilingus, fingering, or penetration with a foreign object,
- against that person’s will,
- when they were drunk, high, or mentally debilitated in some way,
- or when they were physically helpless
Groping or fondling someone’s intimate parts is not sexual assault in Colorado, but rather unlawful sexual contact (usually a class 1 misdemeanor).
Jail Time for Sexual Assault in Denver
Sexual assault is at minimum a class 4 felony in Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood. In cases where force wasn’t used and the victim wasn’t injured, a defendant’s consequences can include:
- up to 8 years in a state prison,
- fines of $2K – $500K,
- sex offender evaluation / treatment,
- sex offender registration
Punishment increases if there’s evidence of threat or use of physical force, drugging, or a deadly weapon. Sexual assaults that involve a deadly weapon become a crime of violence, with the possibility of life in prison. Indeterminate sentencing is also a factor when it comes to the period of incarceration for a sex assault conviction.
Experienced Denver Sexual Assault Defense Attorney
When it comes to an allegation of sexual assault in Denver, Douglas, or Jefferson County, skilled representation is crucial. Whether you’ve been overcharged, made a poor choice after a party, or have been falsely accused, Sawyer Legal Group should be your first contact. Our skilled criminal lawyers have decades of combined experience pursuing the best possible outcome for each of our clients. We offer same-day jail visits, affordable fees, and flexible payment plans for those facing sex crime charges in Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Lakewood, Fort Collins, Greeley, and Castle Rock. Just because you’ve been charged with sexual assault doesn’t mean you’re guilty.
Don’t talk to the police about a sexual assault charge – talk to us. 303-731-0719
Photo by Yan Krukov