Colorado Child Enticement Laws

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Colorado child enticement laws are focused on prosecuting those who use digital means for improper sexual conduct with children under the age of 18.  In order to be convicted at trial of child enticement or Internet sexual exploitation of a minor a person must be shown to have committed the following: 

• Invite or entice
• Via communication thru a computer, telephone, text message, instant message or any other digital medium
• A person known to be or believed to be under 15 years of age and four years younger than themselves
• To expose or touch themselves or another’s intimate body parts during the communication or
• To view via any of the above digital media, the intimate body parts of the person initiating the communication.
  
  

Penalties for Child Enticement in Colorado

The penalties that accompany a conviction under this law include a minimum fine of $2000 up to a maximum fine of $500,000 and a minimum of two years up to maximum of six years imprisonment.  Individuals will also face a mandatory parole of three years and will be required to register as a sex offender.

Defense of Child Enticement in Colorado

There are a number of defenses that can be brought up at trial when a defendant faces child enticement charges.  They include the following:

• The person accused was under duress from another person due to threats of or use of unlawful force that could not be resisted
• The person accused is under the age of 14
• The person accused is mentally incapacitated by a mental defect or disease

Attempted Child Enticement in Colorado

A person can be found guilty of attempted child enticement if they take a step to commit the crime with the intent of committing the crime.  The step must strongly show that the defendant would have completed the crime if they could have.  This most often will occur in the situation where a defendant acts with intent to entice a minor that actually is a law enforcement officer.   Also, individuals that assist another in attempting to entice a child can be found guilty of attempt themselves. Defendants can assert as a defense that he or she abandoned the crime or prevented it from occurring.

When to Talk to a Lawyer

Facing a child enticement charge is a very serious situation.  You should seek the advice of a licensed attorney in your state to walk you through the criminal process.  Only an attorney with criminal law experience can insure that you are aware of your rights and defenses in court.