Sexual Exploitation of a Child is charged in Weld County and throughout Colorado when a person accesses, views, possesses, creates, or distributes sexually exploitative material depicting a child. Most of the time, people are charged with this offense for possessing, accessing, or looking at sexually exploitative material that depicts children. While possession or access to this material does not result in the same penalties as actually creating or distributing it does, it is still a felony sex offense. Hence, the consequences of this offense are severe – and you cannot afford to wait to contact a top criminal defense attorney to represent you at the Weld County Court.
1. Weld County Court Definition of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, C.R.S. 18-6-403
Sexual Exploitation of a Child, C.R.S. 18-6-403, as it relates to accessing or possessing sexually exploitative material, is defined as follows at the Weld County Court:
(b.5) Accesses with intent to view, views, possesses, or controls any sexually exploitative material for any purpose…
Sexual Exploitation of a Child can also be charged for any other role related to sexually exploitative material – possessing with intent to sell, advertising, creation, sale and distribution, and so forth. However, most people charged with this crime were charged because they were caught with illegal pornography on their computers. These people possessed or viewed the material, but did not have a role in its creation.
2. Colorado DOC Time + Other Penalties for Possessing Sexually Exploitative Material in Greeley
In Greeley, merely possessing or accessing child sex abuse materials can result in time in the Colorado DOC and several other penalties. See the table below for a breakdown of sentences that will result from a conviction of Sexual Exploitation of a Child for possessing or accessing sexually exploitative material:
Circumstances | Classification | Penalties |
The defendant possessed, viewed, or accessed sexually exploitative material, and:
|
Class 5 felony / F5 |
|
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Class 4 felony / F4 |
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Important to note is that in some circumstances, Sexual Exploitation of a Child is charged as an extraordinary risk crime, thereby increasing the Colorado prison sentence if the defendant is convicted.
3. What are Extraordinary Risk Crimes in Fort Morgan and Firestone?
Sexual Exploitation of a Child / SEOC is an extraordinary risk crime in some circumstances in Fort Morgan and Firestone. These are crimes that pose an extraordinary risk to society as a whole in addition to causing harm to the victim of the offense. SEOC is considered an extraordinary risk crime when the child depicted in the material is:
- Under the age of 12
- Subjected to the actual application of physical force or violence, or
- Subjected to sexual intercourse, sexual intrusion, or sadomasochism.
If any one of these criteria applies, SEOC is then charged as an extraordinary risk crime, resulting in a longer sentence at the Colorado Department of Corrections.
4. Contact the Best Weld County Sexual Exploitation Lawyer Today
If you have been caught with child sex abuse materials, you need to contact the best Weld County Sexual Exploitation of a Child lawyer today. There’s no sugarcoating it: the Greeley Police, Weld County Sheriff, and other law enforcement officers throughout Colorado are cracking down on these cases. So are the District Attorneys at the Weld County Courts. This is because Sexual Exploitation cases have increased exponentially, making it necessary for the police and courts to do everything in their power to put a swift end to them.
What this means for you is that if you are convicted of your charges, you will face stiff penalties. The repercussions of these penalties will be devastating, and can even last the rest of your life. Only a top criminal defense lawyer with over 30 years of experience representing clients charged with sexual offenses can help you protect your future by representing you at the Weld County Courts. Don’t wait – call us today.
Have you been charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child? First, exercise your right to remain silent. Talking to the Greeley Police could result in your incrimination at the Weld County Courts. Then get in contact with an experienced criminal defense lawyer at the O’Malley Law Office today at (970) 616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Weld County Courthouse is 901 9th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Sora Shimazaki