Have you been charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, C.R.S. 18-6-701? If so, it’s crucial that you hire a leading Greeley criminal defense lawyer immediately. There are few requirements that Greeley Police need to prove in order to charge you with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, or Contributing for short. If a child under the age of 18 claims that you persuaded or assisted them to commit a crime, you can easily be charged, and it will be their word against yours. Depending on the circumstances, your Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor charge could be a felony, which could drastically alter the course of your life.
Weld County Definition of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, C.R.S. 18-6-701
Weld County, Colorado defines Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, C.R.S. 18-6-701, as:
Any person who induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate any state law that is a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302 (1) commits first degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
(b) Any person who induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate any municipal or county ordinance, court order, or state or federal law that is not a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302 (1) commits second degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Contributing is charged when someone encourages a minor to commit a crime. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- A drug dealer bribing a 15-year-old to deliver heroin to a customer.
- A woman telling a 12-year-old to shoplift from a convenience store and threatening to hurt him if he refuses.
- Giving alcohol to a 17-year-old to drink.
What is a Felony Victims Rights Act Crime in Greeley, Colorado?
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor is a class 4 felony in Greeley when an adult persuades a minor to commit a felony crime that involves a victim. C.R.S. 24-4.1-302 provides an exhaustive list of these crimes and includes charges such as:
- Murder in the Second Degree, C.R.S. 18-3-103
- Sexual Assault, C.R.S. 18-3-402
- Stalking, C.R.S. 18-3-602
- Tampering with a Witness or Victim, C.R.S. 18-8-707
- First Degree Arson, C.R.S. 18-4-102
- Failure to Stop at the Scene of an Accident, C.R.S. 42-4-1601, when the accident resulted in serious bodily injury or death
The list of Victims Rights Act crimes is lengthy and can be confusing. If you have questions about whether you are being charged with a misdemeanor or felony Contributing , it’s best to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney and schedule an initial consultation.
Eaton and Severance Sentences and Penalties for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
In Eaton and Severance, the sentences and penalties for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor depend on the degree. When an adult persuades a child to commit a crime that isn’t a felony Victims Rights Act crime, it is second degree Contributing. Second degree Contributing is a class 1 misdemeanor, and is punishable by a maximum of 364 days in a Weld County jail and / or up to $1,000 in fines.
First degree Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor is more severe, and is charged when an adult encourages a minor to commit a felony Victims Rights Act crime. It is a class 4 felony, and penalties include 2 to 6 years in a Colorado State prison, 3 years of parole, and $2,000 to $500,000 in fines.
If you are facing Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor charges, hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney is your best option to avoid severe repercussions. These charges can take years of your life away and wreck your finances. No matter the degree of the Contributing charge, this crime has significant potential to ruin your life. It is never worth the risk to face this legal battle alone.
Get in contact with a criminal defense lawyer with decades of experience at the O’Malley Law Office today at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Weld County Courthouse is 901 9th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
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