In most instances, a sexual assault is classified as a Class 2 felony in Colorado — depending on the circumstances of the case. Most sexual assault convictions carry various legal, personal, professional, and social repercussions, which is why consulting with a skilled Denver sexual assault lawyer is crucial.
A sexual assault lawyer can provide you with the necessary legal advice and representation to help attempt to minimize potential penalties, explore alternative sentencing options, seek diversion programs, or maintain innocence.
Here are the various consequences you may face in Colorado after a sexual assault conviction:
Incarceration & Fines
In Colorado, sexual assault is a serious offense that often results in mandatory prison sentences if convicted. Although incarceration isn’t always mandatory, what dictates it alongside the length of imprisonment are factors such as:
- The severity of the assault
- The age of the victim in question
- Aggravating circumstances
Incarceration can be avoided if these aspects aren’t severe and the defense successfully negotiates a plea bargain. Otherwise, potential offenders may face between four to 12 years in prison and pay fines of up to $750,000. Everything depends on the circumstances of the case and the defendant’s lawyer’s negotiation skills.
Sex Offender Registration
In Colorado, if you are convicted of sexual assault, you will need to register as a sex offender. This registry is often available for public access. This can have long-term negative effects and consequences for the convicted individual in terms of employment, reputation, housing, or social relationships.
Probation and Supervision
In some instances where a sexual offender evades incarceration, they will need to undergo a period of probation. However, there are cases where even if a convict served time for their offense, they might still need to undergo supervision.
In this situation, an offender must regularly check in with their parole officer, adhere to certain conditions, and follow certain restrictions on activities or contact with certain individuals.
Professional and Personal Repercussions
A sexual assault conviction will be guaranteed to come with all sorts of professional or personal repercussions. If convicted, an offender will have their current or future employment opportunities, professional licenses, educational pursuits, or personal relationships negatively affected in various, unpredictable ways.
Employers, educational institutions, lenders, renters, and other entities often conduct background checks. In this situation, an offender’s criminal record will be exposed, potentially impacting their prospects.
Restraining Orders and No-contact Orders
If the victim knew the sexual assault offender, the court may issue a restraining order or no-contact order. These orders are meant to protect the victim and restrict the offender, preventing them from coming near the victim or other individuals. This can impact the offender’s personal relationships or living arrangements.
How a Lawyer Can Help
Since a sexual assault conviction carries so many legal, financial, personal, professional, and social repercussions, it’s crucial for defendants accused of sexual assault in Colorado to seek legal guidance.
A sexual assault lawyer can represent you, explain your rights and legal options, investigate your case and gather evidence, negotiate on your behalf, and potentially help you secure a plea bargain if other options are exhausted.
