If you or someone you love has been arrested or is under investigation for Unlawful Sexual Contact in Weld County, Colorado, the stakes could not be higher. A conviction can mean jail time, mandatory sex offender registration, and life-altering consequences that follow you for decades. The communities of Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Loveland, Fort Lupton, Longmont, and every other city and town across Weld County are served by both the Weld County District Attorney’s Office and local police agencies that aggressively investigate and prosecute sex crimes.
This blog post explains what Unlawful Sexual Contact means under Colorado law, how it is charged in Weld County, what penalties you may face. If you are facing these charges, contact an experienced Greeley criminal defense attorney immediately.
Greeley Unlawful Sexual Contact Attorney: What Is Unlawful Sexual Contact Under Colorado Law?
Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-3-404 defines Unlawful Sexual Contact as knowingly touching another person’s intimate parts, or causing that person to touch the actor’s intimate parts, without that person’s consent, or where the actor knows the other person is incapable of appraising the nature of the conduct.
Intimate parts are defined broadly under the statute to include the genitalia, buttocks, pubic area, and female breast. The touching does not have to be skin-to-skin as contact through clothing can qualify.
The offense is charged in two degrees:
- Unlawful Sexual Contact (Class 1 Misdemeanor) — the base offense where the actor touches or causes touching without consent.
- Unlawful Sexual Contact (Class 4 Felony) — charged when the actor compels the victim to submit by use of force, intimidation, or threat; when the victim is in official custody or detained; when the victim is a minor; or when the actor uses a controlled substance to overcome the victim’s resistance.
Penalties for Unlawful Sexual Contact in Colorado: A Weld County Unlawful Sexual Contact Lawyer Explains
The consequences of a conviction are severe and extend well beyond the criminal sentence itself.
Class 1 Misdemeanor (Base Offense)
- Up to 364 days in the Weld County Jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Mandatory sex offender registration
- Possible probation with strict supervision conditions
Class 4 Felony (Aggravated Offense)
- 2 to 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections (with possible extraordinary risk sentencing of up to 8 years)
- Fines from $2,000 to $500,000
- Mandatory sex offender registration — potentially for life
- Sex Offender Intensive Supervision Probation (SOISP) if sentenced to probation
Sex Offender Registration: A Lifelong Consequence
Colorado’s Sex Offender Registration Act (C.R.S. § 16-22-101 et seq.) requires any person convicted of Unlawful Sexual Contact to register with local law enforcement. Registration can mean restrictions on where you live and work, your name and address appearing on a public registry, mandatory community notification in some cases, and the obligation to re-register every year, or more frequently. Failure to register is itself a separate offense.
Facing Unlawful Sexual Contact Charges in Weld County? Your Defense Starts Now.
Whether you are in Greeley, Evans, Windsor, Fort Lupton, Johnstown, Eaton, or anywhere else across Weld County, an experienced Colorado criminal defense attorney can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case. These charges carry life-altering consequences, from prison time to permanent placement on the sex offender registry, and you deserve a vigorous, knowledgeable defense. Do not wait. Do not talk to the police. Call a skilled Weld County criminal defense attorney today for a confidential consultation.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Unlawful Sexual Contact, 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.
Photo by Rene Terp