Helping anyone under the age of 18 break the law is charged as Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Castle Rock and Douglas County. A man could be facing this felony charge after selling alcohol to a 17-year-old, who later crashed, killing two 16-year-old girls in the car. According to the report, the 17-year-old driver identified the man as the clerk who sold him the wine. Because alcohol was involved, the officers wanted to know how he got it. The driver is facing Vehicular Homicide – DUI charges.

Castle Rock Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor Attorney: Definition of Contributing to the Delinquency of Minors

The Douglas County, Colorado law definition of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – C.R.S. 18-6-701 – is:

“

(1) Any person who induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate any federal or state law, municipal or county ordinance, or court order commits contributing to the delinquency of a minor. For the purposes of this section, the term "child" means any person under the age of eighteen years.”

Because the clerk sold the alcohol to the minor, it could be seen as encouraging him to break the law and drink while underage. Now, there could be a defense if the teen used a fake ID that appeared valid, as some of those fakes are extremely hard to spot.

Sentence for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Highlands Ranch and Parker

In Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Parker, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor is a class 4 felony, punishable by 2 to 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $500,000 in fines. While it is understandable that in this situation the DA would go after the person who provided the alcohol to the teens, as two kids were killed, it is often far less serious situations that result in charges for this serious crime. We have seen cases where a 19-year-old was out with a 16 or 17-year-old past the town’s curfew and was charged with this felony. Because the language of the statute includes any municipal violations – you could be doing something perfectly legal in Fort Collins and then get charged with a felony as soon as you drive into Castle Rock.

If you or someone you love has been charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 303-265-1950. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Source: Pixabay – gthurman