Position of trust sex assault in Castle Rock, Colorado involves sexual contact between someone under 18 and a person responsible for their supervision. The term position of trust applies to many roles including teachers, pastors, coaches, babysitters, family friends, parents, and school employees. Simply put, if you’re responsible for a kid’s health, education, welfare, or supervision for any amount of time, the law says you’re a position of trust. Penalties for SAOC as a position of trust are severe and will likely impact you for the remainder of your life. Consult an experienced sex assault attorney right away if you’re facing an allegation like this in Colorado.
Douglas County Position of Trust Sex Assault Law
Douglas County’s sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust law prohibits specific adults from touching a minor’s intimate parts. CRS 18-3-405.3 addresses these violations in Colorado. You commit SAOC as a position of trust in Parker, Highlands Ranch, or Lone Tree if you:
- knowingly touch the breast(s), butt, or genital area,
- of a minor 17 or younger,
- AND are responsible in any way and for any amount of time for the minor’s health, education, welfare, or supervision
It is important to note that these intimate parts don’t have to be exposed. Touching clothed private parts is unlawful as well if for the purpose of arousal, gratification, or abuse. It also doesn’t matter if the teen or child consented to the contact or if they initiated it in the first place.
SAOC Position of Trust Penalties in Colorado
Position of trust sex assault is at minimum a class 4 felony throughout Colorado. If the minor was 15, 16, or 17 and the sexual contact occurred once, defendants face:
- up to 6 years in DOC,
- fines of $2k – $500k,
- sex offender registration,
- intensive supervised probation,
- evaluation / treatment
However, if you were in a position of trust over a child under 15 and sexual contact occurs, a class 3 felony applies. A pattern of abuse also escalates the charge to F3, regardless of the minor’s age. Defendants in these cases face up to 12 years in prison and an even higher fine range.
Douglas County Child Sex Assault Lawyer
A position of trust if often highly respected and well-known throughout their local community. But with this role applying to a broad range of people, even being family friends or looking over a teen while their parents are away can quickly become problematic. If you’re being accused of sexual contact with a minor in Colorado, don’t talk to the police – talk to us. Perhaps the touching was an accident, it didn’t involve private parts, or you weren’t in a position of trust. Nevertheless, contact our office today for a free consultation. We will carefully look over your unique situation, as well as recommend next steps in building a strong defense.
So, if you or someone you know is facing a sexual assault on a child by a position of trust charge, be smart. Contact the strategic criminal defense attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-265-1950. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Mike Von
