If you have been charged with or convicted of a sex crime, it is essential that you understand the requirement to register as a sex offender in Larimer County. Most sex crimes in Colorado require registration on the sex offender registry / SOR. The SOR is a database maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation that allows the public and law enforcement to see where a person convicted of a sex crime lives. The goal behind this registry is community safety, as well as to prevent sex offenders from reoffending. Below, our top criminal defense lawyers answer some common FAQs about the sex offender registry in Larimer County:
1. What Crimes Require Registration on the Sex Offender Registry in Larimer County?
Conviction of any one of several sex offenses will require registration on the sex offender registry / SOR in Larimer County. These offenses include, but are not limited to:
- Sexual Assault, C.R.S. 18-3-402
- Sexual Assault on a Child, C.R.S. 18-3-405
- Unlawful Sexual Contact, C.R.S. 18-3-404
- Indecent Exposure, C.R.S. 18-7-302
- Sexual Exploitation of a Child, C.R.S. 18-6-403
- Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child, C.R.S. 18-3-405.4
- Public Indecency, C.R.S. 18-7-301, for the third or subsequent offense or if second offense was committed within 5 years
Not all sex offenses require registration, but most do. If you have questions as to whether you are required to register, it is imperative that you contact a top criminal defense lawyer.
2. When Can I Petition to Deregister in Fort Collins?
If you are required to reregister on the SOR annually in Fort Collins, you may be eligible to petition to deregister the Larimer County Courts after sufficient time has elapsed. The time you must wait before petitioning the Courts depends on the offense of which you were convicted. The breakdown for time you must wait is as follows:
- Most misdemeanors – 5 years after all sentencing requirements are complete
- Unlawful Sexual Contact – 10 years
- Class 4, class 5, or class 6 felonies – 10 years
- Class 1, class 2, or class 3 felonies – 20 years
Unfortunately, if you are required to reregister quarterly / every 3 months, you will never be eligible to petition to deregister.
3. What Happens if I Don’t Register on the SOR in Loveland and Estes Park?
If you do not register on the SOR in Loveland and Estes Park, you will be criminally charged with Failure to Register as a Sex Offender, C.R.S. 18-3-412.5. It is critical to know that this offense is not only charged for neglecting to register at all. Failure to Register can also be charged if you neglect to include any required information, or if you put down false information – even if it was unintentional. It is essential that you are careful with the registration form, and you reregister when you are required to do so. Failure to Register is a class 1 misdemeanor if you were required to register for a misdemeanor sex crime. However, this crime is instead a class 6 felony if you fail to register after conviction of a felony sexual offense. Additionally, a second or subsequent felony Failure to Register offense increases to a class 5 felony.
4. I’ve Been Charged with a Sex Crime – Should I Hire a Top Fort Collins Lawyer?
If you have been charged with a sex crime, you should absolutely hire a top Fort Collins lawyer to represent you. Registration on the sex offender registry is only one of numerous consequences that comes with conviction of a sexual offense. You could also face an indeterminate prison sentence at the Colorado Department of Corrections, a fine of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and restitution payments. These consequences will devastate your time with your family and friends, your employability, and your social standing. A top criminal defense lawyer can protect you from these life-changing penalties and mitigate them as much as possible. We can negotiate on your behalf to secure a plea bargain that will allow you to live in freedom. Depending on the case, the charges against you could even be dismissed. Don’t take a gamble on a public defender or less experienced attorney, and call us today.
Have you been charged with a sex offense that will require registration on the sex offender registry? First, be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent. The Fort Collins Police are not interested in your innocence – they want to gather evidence against you. Talk to an experienced and compassionate criminal defense lawyer at the O’Malley Law Office instead by calling (970) 658-0007. 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 Cytonn Photography