Enticement of a Child is one of the more serious criminal charges a person can face in Colorado. If you or someone you know has been charged with this offense in Weld County, understanding the nature of the charge and the potential consequences is critical from the very start.
What Is Enticement of a Child Under Colorado Law? A Greeley Criminal Defense Lawyer Explains
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-3-305, Enticement of a Child occurs when a person invites, persuades, or attempts to persuade a child under the age of 15 to enter a vehicle, building, or other secluded place with the intent to commit sexual assault or unlawful sexual contact against that child.
The charge does not require that the act be completed. An attempt alone, even a single communication or gesture, can be sufficient for prosecutors to file charges.
How Weld County Prosecutors Handle Enticement of a Child Cases
Weld County prosecutors take Enticement of a Child charges extremely seriously. The Weld County District Attorney’s Office, based in Greeley, aggressively pursues these cases and typically involves law enforcement agencies such as the Greeley Police Department, Weld County Sheriff’s Office, and at times, multi-agency task forces focused on crimes against children.
Evidence in these cases often includes digital communications, text messages, social media activity, and undercover law enforcement operations. Arrests can stem from online stings in which investigators pose as minors.
The Potential Consequences of Enticement of a Child Charges in Windsor and Greeley: Indeterminate Sentencing and More
Enticement of a Child is a class 4 felony in Colorado. If the defendant has a prior conviction for a similar offense or if the enticement results in bodily injury to the child, the charge is elevated to a class 3 felony. Because Enticement of a Child is a sex offense, it falls under the Colorado Sex Offender Lifetime Supervision Act (SOLSA), which mandates indeterminate sentencing. This means there is no fixed release date. The sentence carries a minimum term and a maximum of the defendant’s natural life. A conviction can mean:
- 2 years to life in the Colorado Department of Corrections (class 4 felony)
- 4 years to life for a class 3 felony
- Release determined by the parole board and Sex Offender Management Board evaluations, not by simply serving a set term
- Mandatory sex offender registration
- Lifelong consequences to employment, housing, and personal relationships
Contact a Greeley Criminal Defense Attorney Today
A charge of this magnitude demands immediate legal representation. If you are facing enticement charges in Weld County, contact our Greeley criminal defense office today for a confidential consultation.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Enticement of a Child, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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