In Greeley, Colorado, Sexual Exploitation of a Child is a serious sexual crime. Having an experienced lawyer is of the utmost importance. The Colorado House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed a bill, in early February, that would change the legal definitions surrounding child pornography, so they fit today’s ever-evolving technology. This would also bring heftier sentencing along with any Sexual Exploitation conviction. The state now has more strict definitions to aid law enforcement and prosecutors, as they track down those, they think are guilty. If you are being investigated for a child pornography / sexual exploitation offense, it is important to educate yourself regarding your conduct. Knowing the law in advance, can save you a lot of grief in the future. Having the right lawyer can keep you out of the Weld County Jail.
In Weld County, What is Sexual Exploitation of a Child?
In Weld County, police will make an arrest if they believe someone has committed Sexual Exploitation of a Child, C.R.S. 18-6-403. They follow Colorado’s definition, which states:
A person commits sexual exploitation of a child if, for any purpose, he or she knowingly:
(a) Causes, induces, entices, or permits a child to engage in, or be used for, any explicit sexual conduct for the making of any sexually exploitative material; or
(b) Prepares, arranges for, publishes, including but not limited to publishing through digital or electronic means, produces, promotes, makes, sells, finances, offers, exhibits, advertises, deals in, or distributes, including but not limited to distributing through digital or electronic means, any sexually exploitative material; or
(b.5) Possesses or controls any sexually exploitative material for any purpose; except that this subsection (b.5) does not apply to personnel, defense counsel personnel, or court personnel in the performance of their official duties, nor does it apply to physicians, psychologists, therapists, or social workers, so long as such persons are licensed in the state of Colorado and the persons possess such materials in the course of a bonafide treatment or evaluation program at the treatment or evaluation site; or
(c) Possesses with the intent to deal in, sell, or distribute, including but not limited to distributing through digital or electronic means, any sexually exploitative material; or
(d) Causes, induces, entices, or permits a child to engage in, or be used for, any explicit sexual conduct for the purpose of producing a performance.
To make this clear, if a person possesses, makes / creates, distributes, or forces, encourages, or uses a child under 18 years of age to create pornography, then they can be charged with Sexual Exploitation of a Child.
What is the Sentencing for Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, Colorado, Sexual Exploitation of a Child can be charged as a class 3 felony, a class 4 felony, or a class 5 felony. For possession of child pornography, the accused would face a class 5 felony. A class 5 felony sentence consists of 1 to 3 years in the Weld County Jail, and a fine between $1,000 and $100,000. Furthermore, Sexual Exploitation of a Child also requires the convicted person to register as a sex offender and follow rules set by the Sex Offender Management Board. It is also important to note that with the new legislation, the bill makes sexual exploitation of a child an extraordinary risk crime, which acts as a sentencing enhancer and increases the sentence in some cases. This and the complicated nature of Sexual Exploitation of a Child charges requires the help of an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney like those in our law office.
Why Do You Need a Top Defense Lawyer for a Sexual Exploitation of a Child Charge in Weld County?
You absolutely need a top notch, experienced defense lawyer for your Sexual Exploitation of a Child charge in Weld County. A sexual charge like this will greatly affect your life if you’re convicted. When people are convicted of sex crimes, they face prison, an expensive fine, and registering a sex offender for at least the next 10 to 20 years. After they are released from probation or prison, they will experience limitations on employment and restrictions on where they can live. Additionally, judges and juries are not kind when it comes to sexual crimes against children. You need an aggressive and experienced Sexual Exploitation of a Child lawyer on your side, who has your future in mind.
Have you been falsely accused of Sexual Exploitation of a Child in Greeley, Colorado? Be smart and exercise your right to remain silent. Call the experienced Sexual Exploitation of a Child attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office. Call 970-616-6009 to meet with an aggressive criminal defense lawyer in Weld County and Greeley, for a free consultation.
Together we can protect your future.
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