In some ways, juveniles adjudicated of sex crimes at the Larimer County Courts receive similar penalties to adults convicted of the same crimes. Like adults, juveniles are often required to register on the Sex Offender Registry, and they must successfully complete sex offender treatment. For that reason, if your child has been charged with a sex crime, it is imperative that you contact a top Fort Collins criminal defense lawyer right away. While juvenile courts are vastly different from the District Court, penalties like these can still exact lasting damage on your child’s future. Below, our top criminal defense lawyers discuss some of the penalties imposed on a juvenile who is adjudicated of a sexual offense in Fort Collins:
1. Your child may be required to register as a juvenile sex offender in Fort Collins.
Yes, juveniles adjudicated of sexual offenses are sometimes required to register as sex offenders in Fort Collins. However, a judge may exempt a juvenile from this requirement per C.R.S. 16-22-103, provided that the juvenile meets other criteria that allow for this exemption.
Information on juvenile sex offenders is publicly accessible, but not to the same extent that adult sex offenders’ information is accessible. A person must request information on a juvenile sex offender by filling out a form and submitting it to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Juveniles are not visible on the Sex Offender Registry map like adult offenders are. Even so, registering as a sex offender as a juvenile can still be detrimental to your child’s future, especially as they start applying for schools.
2. Juveniles must pursue Larimer County Court-ordered sex offender treatment.
In addition to registering as a sex offender, a juvenile must also pursue sex offender treatment as mandated by the Larimer County Courts. Not only is this already a requirement for any person adjudicated or convicted of a sexual offense, but this is also due to the fact that juvenile courts in Colorado emphasize rehabilitation over punishment. Part of this rehabilitation often includes treatment programs. Hence, your child will be ordered to participate in treatment, which you must pay for.
3. Your child may be required to placed out of the house in Loveland or Estes Park.
Prior to sentencing, a juvenile will be subject to an assessment in Loveland or Estes Park in accordance with the standards of the Sex Offender Management Board / SOMB. This assessment identifies the juvenile’s risk factors – including proximity to other children – that are to be considered in sentencing. If the juvenile is determined to pose a risk to other children, including siblings, it is possible that the judge may sentence them to out-of-home placement to prevent further victimization. Unfortunately, not much can be done about this, and the stress that comes from out-of-home placement cannot be overstated.
4. Juveniles need the best Fort Collins lawyer to represent them in court.
If your child has been charged with a sex crime, they need the best Fort Collins juvenile crimes lawyer to represent them in court. Your child’s future is at stake – especially during this pivotal time, during which they are likely applying for universities or trying to find a first job. If your child was adjudicated of a felony sex offense, their criminal record may not be expunged later, which can further damage their future.
This is why it is imperative to contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if your child has been charged with a sexual offense. Don’t wait, and contact us today to discuss your child’s case and how we can help protect their future.
Has your child been charged with a sexual offense? Help them to be smart, and exercise their right to remain silent. Then call 970-658-0007 to discuss your child’s case with a top juvenile crimes lawyer at the O’Malley Law Office today. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Larimer County Courthouse is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Andrew Neel