It is easy to forget that children can manipulate adults to get what they want. Government workers lose sight of this and take everything kids say as truth. This is understandable, as they see countless cases of children who are abused in Larimer, Boulder, and Jackson County. But, children are human just like the rest of us. And, their imaginations are fueled by the media, which is growing ever more sexual with each passing year. This combination creates a dangerous situation. When a child makes accusations about a sexual encounter, there is a lot at stake. People can go to prison for the rest of their lives as the result of a false accusation. If you have been charged with Enticement of a Child, you need to have an ally in the courtroom who will ask those difficult questions to prove your innocence. Let’s look closer at this law:
What is Enticement of a Child? The Law in Loveland, Fort Collins, and Estes Park
A person will be charged with Enticement of a Child – C.R.S. 18-3-305, if they invite a child under the age of 15 years old to meet for a sexual purpose. The problem is a child can make accusations an adult tried to coerce them into a meeting for a sexual purpose – there doesn’t have to be physical evidence for a conviction. One child’s statement is all that is needed for Fort Collins, Johnstown, or Masonville police to make an arrest.
Media Consumption in the Modern World: More than a Full-Time Job
Technology has changed the world dramatically. With the invention of iPods, mobile phones and devices, the internet is accessible to everyone. TV shows have grown more violent and sexual (even during daytime hours), and children of all ages see movies filled with questionable content. According to a recent report, the average 8-to-18-year old spends almost 8 hours a day consuming media (music, TV, internet, movies, etc.). When multi-tasking, texting, and talking on the phone is added to the equation, children spend 90 hours a week consuming media.
Media and Sex Influences Kid’s Decisions
If you watch TV or movies, you can’t help but notice that the content has grown more and more sexual as the year’s progress. This has an effect on our kids. Studies show that teens who consume media which contains sexual situations are more likely to engage in sexual activity. In the study, 12 to 14-year-olds who were exposed to media which contained sexual content in magazines, music, TV, and in movies were 2.2 times more likely to have sexual intercourse within two years. This is in contrast to their peers who had a lighter “sexual media diet.”
Children Are Smart and Can Use Accusations as a Manipulative Tool
We have worked with many clients who have been charged with Enticement of a Child after false accusations. Victim’s Rights Advocates and government workers are quick to assume their accusations are true. They often ask: “Where would the child come up with sexual details if they hadn’t experienced them?” This is an oversight; they aren’t taking into account the enormous impact our culture’s obsession with sex has on impressionable children. Children listen to explicitly sexual music and watch TV shows with sex scenes on a daily basis. So, when they want to get back at their new stepfather, punish their teacher at school, or simply get the attention they crave, they know sexual accusations will get them noticed and they know enough details to make it sound plausible.
Charged with Enticement of a Child? You Need a Lawyer On Your Side
If you have been charged with Enticement, you need to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. You need someone in the courtroom who will ask those difficult questions and be your advocate. Don’t stand alone in front of a judge or jury and try to combat the accusations of a child. You need someone who won’t let lies slip. The criminal lawyers at our office have experience in this area. We fight to discover the truth, help kids get the treatment they need, and keep the innocent out of prison.
If you or a loved one has been charged with Enticement of a Child in Larimer County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 970-658-0007. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – Pezibear