It is a well-known fact that men have a difficult time reading women. What isn’t as understood is that if you have any type of sexual contact with her without her consent, you could be facing serious Unlawful Sexual Contact charges (C.R.S. 18-3-404) in Weld, Morgan and Logan County. The definition of “sexual contact” can be very vague, and with alcohol blurring the lines, it easy to be convicted of this sex offense. That is why it is vital that you work with an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight for your freedom in court.
What is Unlawful Sexual Contact?
Unlawful Sexual contact is charged in Greeley, Erie and Windsor if a person “knowingly subjects a victim to any sexual contact” when the victim doesn’t consent. This includes when the alleged victim is impaired, either by drugs or alcohol (there are other instances included in the statute as well, including acts against children). “Sexual contact” is defined as:
“When a person knowingly touches a victim’s intimate parts, if that sexual contact is for the purposes of sexual gratification, arousal or abuse.”
Having a “Good Time” Can Lead to Unlawful Sexual Contact Charges
You may say: “I don’t force women to have sexual contact with me. I’m not going to be charged with this offense.” Yet this offense is tricky – it can be charged very easily, and accusations are common. “Messing around,” and “having a good time” at a bar on the weekend can end badly. Touching a woman’s butt while dancing can lead to charges of unlawful sexual contact. Let’s say you’ve had a few too many drinks with a girl at the bar and you decide to make out later in the evening. The contact was mutual. What you don’t know is that she has a boyfriend who isn’t too happy about the fact that she messed around. Her judgment was clouded by the alcohol, so in a panic to save face she says that the sexual contact happened against her will. You get a call from the police, and you want to be honest, so you say that you did touch her. Now, you could be facing jail time. Unlawful sexual contact is usually a class 1 misdemeanor, but it is an extraordinary risk crime, which means you could be facing up to 2 years in jail. You will also be required to register as a sex offender and undergo sex offender treatment overseen by the Colorado Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB). The SOMB treats all sex offenders in the same way – you will be going through the same treatment as a serial rapist.
Unlawful sexual contact is a serious offense. Don’t stand alone in court. If you have been accused of this sex offense in Greeley, Fort Lupton or Berthoud, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent (don’t speak with police), and contact an experienced criminal lawyer at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – viganhajdari