It is becoming increasingly common for juveniles to face charges constituting sex crimes. An act as apparently simple or commonplace as a playful spank in the hallway at school can lead to the filing of charges which, because of their classification as a sex offense, bring a complicated host of collateral consequences to the table. If your child is being investigated for or has been charged with a sex crime, contact experienced juvenile defense attorney Kimberly Diego at (720) 257-5346 immediately for a free consultation.
Sex crimes can be either misdemeanors or felonies. Regardless of whether the charge constitutes a misdemeanor or felony, registration laws do apply to juveniles adjudicated or receiving a deferred adjudication based on act constituting what is legally defined as unlawful sexual behavior. Should a juvenile be required to register as a sex offender, he will not have his name published online due to the privacy afforded to juveniles in the court system.
However, juveniles may avoid registration in limited circumstances if and only if they have never previously been charged with an act constituting unlawful sexual behavior, the original charge in the case is either a misdemeanor unlawful sexual contact or indecent exposure charge, they were younger than 18 when the offense was committed, the exemption would not pose a significant risk to the community, and also if the sex offense evaluation indicates that such an exemption would be in the best interests of both the juvenile and the community.
Your child will be required to continue his registration until he is granted permission to deregister by the juvenile court. In order to obtain that permission, a distinct petition would be filed sometime following the termination of your child’s sentence. This could mean that by the time your child is eligible to remove his name from the registry, he is an adult. It is highly recommended that an attorney be retained to handle the petition to deregister. Attorney Diego has successfully assisted multiple juveniles in removing their names from the registry – an important step for them to seek appropriate education, employment, and housing.
A new felony charge in Denver can take on a much heavier tone once prosecutors raise the possibility of habitual criminal sentencing. A case that might otherwise be handled like many other felonies can turn into a high-exposure situation if the state claims your prior convictions qualify under Colorado’s habitual criminal laws.
The Law Office of Kimberly Diego defends people facing serious felony allegations and high-stakes sentencing threats in Colorado
Being falsely accused of domestic violence is a uniquely devastating and frightening experience. In Colorado, law enforcement officers responding to domestic disturbance calls are encouraged, and in many cases required, to make an arrest when probable cause exists. This means individuals can face criminal charges based largely on one party’s statement at the scene.
At the Law Office of Kimberly Diego, our Denver criminal defense attorney understands the legal challenges
Not every encounter with law enforcement in Denver is lawful. Police stops must comply with constitutional standards for protection against unlawful searches and seizures. When these standards are not met, your Denver criminal defense lawyer can challenge the evidence obtained during the stop. In some cases, this could result in reduced criminal charges or even dismissal.
If you are charged with a driving criminal case in Denver, the criminal defense