Colorado Sex Crime Defense Lawyer

Experienced Sex Crimes Defense Attorney Handling Cases in Denver, Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, and Throughout Colorado

If you facing sex crime charges, your life is on the line. Working with an experienced Colorado sex crime defense lawyer is critical because you face the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence and life-altering consequences. Family and friends can turn away. Even if you receive a deferred judgment, you must register as a sex offender through the sex offender registry.

The Law Firm You Need When Your Freedom and Future are On the Line

Without experienced legal representation, your life will never be the same due to serious consequences. I am J.B. Katz, a criminal defense lawyer with more than 20 years of experience in sex crime cases, defending people accused of sex offenses and other serious felony crimes in sexual assault cases. I am aggressive at all stages of the legal process, always working with a strong defense strategy, tenaciously defending my clients’ rights, and working hard to obtain the best possible outcome as an experienced attorney. If you are facing sex crime allegations, I will fight for your rights and freedom in Colorado’s high-stakes legal system.

What is Sexual Assault?

In Colorado, sexual assault (rape) is defined as any forced or non-consensual act of penetration, including sexual penetration. If one party is intoxicated or unconscious, the sex is automatically considered non-consensual, including sexual intercourse. To be convicted of this crime, penetration or sexual intrusion must have occurred. Non-consensual touching is not considered rape or sexual assault, rather it is considered unlawful sexual contact in Colorado law.

Sexual Assault Offenses are Serious Criminal Charges that Carry Substantial Penalties

If you are convicted of sexual assault and criminal charges in Colorado, it is almost always a felony. Depending on the circumstances, some of the harshest penalties could include up to 24 years of prison time, a fine between $5,000 and $1 million, and lifetime sex offender registration. Prosecutors will be fighting hard to secure the maximum sentence for your crime (or crimes), so you need a defense lawyer who has a deep understanding of the law and who can help protect you against far-reaching consequences.

A sex crime conviction can also impact your personal relationships with friends and family members, and mandatory registration as a sex offender (along with having a criminal record) can severely limit your job opportunities. As a result, in this situation, your legal needs are substantial. I will represent you throughout the whole process of fighting your sex crime case—recognizing that various factors can lead to unwarranted allegations. Ultimately, no matter what happened, you have defenses available, and facing allegations does not necessarily mean that you will be convicted under Colorado criminal law.

Defenses to Sexual Assault, Unlawful Sexual Contact, and Other Sex Offenses

Being charged with any type of sexual assault is incredibly serious and can have consequences that follow you around for the rest of your life and affect a person’s reputation. It can have a significant impact on where you’re allowed to work or where you can live. Anytime someone runs a background check, they will be able to see that you are a registered sex offender among convicted sex offenders. If you’ve been charged with this serious crime, it’s important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer. A Colorado Sex Crime Defense Lawyer will determine the best course of action to defend you with legal counsel. Some of the most common defenses to sexual assault include the following:

• Consent

In the state of Colorado, consent is defined as cooperation in act or attitude pursuant to an exercise of free will and with knowledge of the nature of the act. If the victim did not agree to the act or have the capacity to agree to the act, there is no consent, and sexual assault charges can be made against you. While it may be uncomfortable for some people, the best way to ensure that the other party consents is to get verbal confirmation before and during the act.

• Mistake of Fact

Mistake of fact is a difficult defense to use successfully, but it can be an option sometimes when falsely accused. This legal defense is used to try to establish that the accused mistakenly believed that the alleged victim had consented to the activity.

• Mistake of Age

In some circumstances, mistake of age can be raised as an affirmative defense in Colorado. If the accused can present evidence that they believed the child was 18 years or older, and the child was at least 15 and the accused is not in a position of trust, they could avoid a conviction with reasonable doubt.

• False Accusation

False accusations can occur, most commonly in children. It’s possible that an adult influenced their recollection or convinced them to say something that wasn’t true. These types of sexual abuse situations occur most commonly when a couple is going through a divorce.

• No Penetration or Intrusion

The act of groping someone in a sexual manner without their consent is not considered rape. If the accused can show that there was no penetration of intimate parts, they could avoid a conviction on sexual assault/rape. It’s likely that they would still be convicted of an unwanted sexual act or contact, but the penalties for that crime are less severe.

We Defend Clients Facing All Types of Sex Crime Charges in Colorado

When I represent you, I will undertake an immediate and proactive defense effort with legal representation regardless of your financial situation. I will thoroughly investigate all aspects of the events leading to your arrest for sex crime cases, including child internet luring and child pornography accusations. This effort may involve research by a private investigator and a psychosexual evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist. In a case involving very serious charges, my firm may engage one or more additional attorneys to support the defense effort. I will work tirelessly to build a strong and effective defense for you. If there is any opportunity to get your case dismissed, I will do everything possible to protect you from devastating consequences.

My law firm provides aggressive legal representation for people accused of all types of sex offenses, including:

• Sexual assault
• Sexual battery
• Sexual exploitation
• Rape
• Statutory rape
• Indecent exposure and public indecency
• Solicitation
• Sexual assault on a child
• Other sex offenses

Because of the political sensitivity of sexual offense cases, it can be sometimes difficult to obtain an acceptable plea agreement. But going to trial carries considerable risks. In a confidential consultation, I will explain your legal options, helping you make the right decisions about your case. In my career extending for more than 20 years, I have taken many cases to trial as a former prosecutor. If you choose that route, I have the trial advocacy skills needed to defend you as a sex crimes defense attorney.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation with a Colorado Sex Crime Defense Lawyer Today

As a Colorado sex crime defense attorney, I will provide the legal help and unwavering support you need, and I will fight for your rights and freedom every step of the way. I handle all types of sex crime cases in Fort Collins, Jefferson County, and throughout Colorado, and I understand the severe consequences that a sex crime conviction can have on a person’s life.

To schedule a free consultation, please call my Breckenridge office (970) 453-5533, or send me an email. You need to have a Colorado criminal defense attorney before meeting with law enforcement to discuss these sex crime conviction charges, and until you do, it is better to remain silent.