Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – C.R.S. 18-6-701, is most commonly charged when an adult provides alcohol to minors. For an example, we’ll look at a recent case where minors were found to be in possession of alcohol which had been given to them by an adult. Last year in Colorado, a limo driver contacted the police after he found a 16-year-old drunk in his limo after a party in Longmont. The girl was taken to a hospital, where her blood alcohol content level (BAC) was tested: It was at .40 – almost five times the legal limit for driving and very dangerous to the girl’s health. The police immediately began investigating the party – which had taken place in the limo. According to the news report, a parent had rented the limo for a group of teenagers for a party. The limo drove from Longmont, through Frederick, to Fort Collins, and back. The police have questioned the teens, but have yet to find the adult who provided the alcohol. If they are found, the adult will be charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. Let’s look closer at this crime to see how it is charged in Larimer, Boulder, and Jackson County.
[pullquote align=”center” textalign=”center” width=”60%”]If an adult provides alcohol to a minor, they will face criminal charges.[/pullquote]A Closer Look at Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
A person will be charged with felony Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor if they induce, encourage, or aid a child under the age of 18 to violate any court order, municipal or county ordinance, or federal or state law. In other words – if you helped a child to commit any crime, you will be charged with a felony criminal offense. Because someone provided alcohol to minors (which is illegal), they helped them to commit the crime of Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP). They will face criminal charges if they are discovered.
Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and “Unlawful Acts”
In many cases, people didn’t know they were providing alcohol to an underage person. Kids look more mature at a younger age than ever before; it can be difficult to determine whether or not they are over 18. In some cases, we can use an affirmative defense if you reasonably believed the child to be over the age of 18. In related cases, men and women are charged with the misdemeanor Unlawful Acts, C.R.S. 12-47-901, for furnishing alcohol to persons over 18 years and less than 21 years. Don’t give up hope if you have been charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor or Unlawful Acts in Loveland, Fort Collins, or Estes Park. There are many defense we can utilize to protect your future.