Denver Sex Crime Lawyer

Top Rated Sex Crime Attorney in Denver, UT

Sex offenses have severe criminal, personal, professional, and reputational consequences. These charges can immediately impact your life, even if they are only accusations. If you are convicted, the offense can lead to jail or prison time, fines, and sex offender registration. You must work with a Denver sex crime lawyer to build an effective and aggressive defense against these charges and protect your future.

Why Blackley & Wingad in Denver?

At Blackley & Wingad, our attorneys are partners in life and in law and have decades of experience in criminal defense law. We have decades of trial experience and have handled pretrials, litigation, depositions, and many other aspects of criminal cases. Our attorneys have experience in intense investigative roles and as public defenders. Our team has experience in several local criminal courts, including the 2nd Judicial District Court for Denver County.

Our firm has represented clients facing many serious sex offenses in trial, including rape charges. We understand the immense stress, uncertainty, and isolation that can come from facing a sex crime accusation. When you work with our firm, we bring you compassionate support along with aggressive legal advocacy. We help you with each step of the process while working fiercely to protect your rights.

Blackley & Wingad is always prepared to take your case to court and take the time needed to prepare for your entire case, not just for courtroom appearances. Let us protect your freedom and future.

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Criminal Sex Offenses in Denver

In 2025, there were 1,112 non-consensual sex crimes in Denver County. Of these crimes:

• 279 victims of these offenses were aged 10 to 17
• 53.4% were rape offenses, 32.8% were criminal sexual contact, and 12.9% were sodomy
• 81.8% of offenses involved personal weapons
• A firearm was used in 31 or 2.7% of offenses
• 55.7% of offenses occurred in a residence or home, and 12.8% occurred on a road, in parking, or in a camp
• 33.5% of offenses occurred between acquaintances and 15% occurred between strangers

These are serious criminal offenses that are prosecuted harshly. If you have been accused of a sex crime in Colorado, you must get strong legal representation.

What Are Sex Offenses Under Colorado Law?

Sex offenses under Colorado law include:

Sexual Assault

This offense occurs when the accused intentionally engages in sexual intrusion or penetration and one of the following is true:

1. The victim did not consent, and the accused knew that
2. The accused knew the victim was not capable of understanding their own conduct
3. The accused knew that the victim believed the accused to be their spouse
4. The victim of the offense was under 15 years old, and the accused is not their spouse and at least four years older than the victim 
5. The victim was between 15 and 17 years old, and the accused is not their spouse and at least 10 years older than them
6. The victim is in legal custody or detained in an institution, and the accused was tasked with their supervision
7. The accused pretended to offer a medical service
8. The victim of the offense was physically helpless and did not consent, and the accused knew that

Sexual assault is charged as a class 4 felony, but it can also be charged as a class 6, class 3, or class 2 felony. Class 3 felonies are charged when the victim was physically helpless, as well as in other aggravated circumstances, like the use of physical force.

The offense is a class 2 felony for aggravating factors like when multiple individuals are committing the offense or the victim of the offense suffers serious bodily injury.

Unlawful Sexual Contact

Unlawful sexual contact is the offense of any type of sexual contact when the victim does not consent to it under any of the same circumstances as sexual assault. It is a class 1 misdemeanor, but can be charged as a class 4 felony if force or threats were used or other circumstances apply.

Sexual Assault of a Child

This is the offense of subjecting anyone under the age of 15 to sexual contact when the accused is not the victim’s spouse and is at least four years older than the victim. It is a class 4 felony.

The offense can become a class 3 felony in aggravating circumstances like:

1. Use of force
2. Use of reasonably actionable threats of death, pain, kidnapping, or bodily injury, or of retaliation using any of those actions
3. The offense is part of a sexual abuse pattern

When the accused holds a position of trust over the victim, then this offense can be charged when the child is younger than 18.

Public Indecency

In Colorado, public indecency is a petty offense and a crime against morals, rather than a sex offense. Indecent exposure is also a crime against morals and is a class 1 misdemeanor, but can be charged as a class 6 felony for repeat offenses of an offense committed knowingly in front of a child.

Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child

This is the offense of enticing or inviting a child the accused believes to be 15 years old or younger to engage in intimate touching, when the accused is at least four years older than the victim. It is a class 4 felony.

Prostitution

Prostitution-related offenses are also crimes against morals rather than sex offenses under Colorado law. They include offenses like prostitution, soliciting for prostitution, pandering for prostitution, pimping, and keeping a place for prostitution. Prostitution and soliciting are petty offenses, but other related offenses can be felonies or misdemeanors.

Invasion of Privacy for Sexual Gratification

This is the offense of taking pictures of another person’s intimate parts without consent for sexual gratification when the victim of the offense has a reasonable expectation of having privacy. The offense is a class 1 misdemeanor but can be charged as a class 6 felony for repeat offenses or if the victim is under the age of 15.

Sex Offender Registration Offenses

Sex offenders in Colorado must register certain information in the jurisdiction they live in, and some sex offenders must register every three months. Failure to register as a sex offender is a class 6 felony, but can become a class 5 felony. A sex offender can also be charged with failing to verify a location, which is a misdemeanor offense.

What Are Potential Defenses for a Sex Crime Charge?

If you have been charged with a sex crime, the defense for your case will depend on your unique situation. Some defenses may include:

• Consent. This claims the alleged victim of the offense consented to the sexual acts in the charges. This defense does not apply when a minor is the victim of the offense.
• Mistaken identity. This applies if the victim thinks you were the person who committed the crime, but you were not. The defense may present an alibi, forensic evidence, or other relevant information to challenge the prosecution’s case.
• False accusation. A defense against a false accusation may assess the credibility of witnesses, the forensic evidence present, digital evidence, and other factors about the case.
• Constitutional rights violations. If law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the investigation, the evidence they secured can be suppressed, preventing the prosecution from meeting the burden of proof.

FAQs

What Are Sex Offenders Not Allowed to Do in Colorado?

Sex offenders in Colorado must follow the guidelines set in place by the Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB). These guidelines include prohibiting sex offenders from living near a park, playground, swimming pool, arcade, schoolyard, schools, child care facilities, and other locations where children often are. There are other restrictions under the SOMB guidelines.

The guidelines are used by parole or probation officers to determine where the sex offender can live.

Can a Sex Offender in Colorado Be Around Children?

In Colorado, the SOMB guidelines prohibit a sex offender from being in contact with any children without approval beforehand. Sex offenders also cannot live near locations that children frequent, although there is no required distance. It’s always important to understand the requirements of registration to avoid further criminal penalties.

When Should You Hire a Sex Crime Lawyer in Denver?

You should hire a sex crime lawyer in Denver as soon as you are arrested or charged with a sex crime. If you suspect you are being investigated for an offense, you should also hire a sex crime lawyer. Early action by a defense attorney can better help you protect your rights. An attorney can begin an investigation of the offense you are being charged with while protecting your rights during interrogation or searches.

What Are the Penalties of a Sex Crime in Colorado?

The penalties of a sex crime in Colorado include fines, imprisonment, and potential registration as a sex offender. If the offense is a misdemeanor, you may be in jail for up to 364 days and have to pay fines as much as $1,000, while a felony offense results in over a year in prison and fines of at least $1,000. Sex offender registration can restrict where you live and what you can do.

Find An Experienced Denver Sex Crime Attorney

A conviction of a sex crime can have lifelong consequences on your freedom, your reputation, your personal relationships, and your employment. It’s crucial to work with a compassionate and aggressive defense team to protect your interests. Contact Blackley & Wingad today.