Our culture is obsessed with technology. While this isn't a negative thing in and of itself, it can lead to problems in other areas of life. We often do things we regret in order to protect what we most value. A perfect example of this is a story that hit the news last week: A 12-year-old girl allegedly tried to poison her mother. The reason for her actions? She was angry at her mom because her iPhone had been taken away. The young girl could be facing attempted Murder charges in Boulder County. Let's take a closer look at the charges she is facing.

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Girl Attempts to Poison Mom after Phone Taken Away

According to the news, a 12-year-old girl has been detained after being suspected of trying to poison her mother. The mom says she smelled bleach in her smoothie one day, but figured her daughter had just cleaned the glass and accidentally left some bleach in it. She felt a little sick, but the feeling passed. A few days later, she again noticed the smell of bleach in her water. So, she confronted her daughter, who told her she was “trying to kill her for taking her iPhone.” As a criminal defense attorney, I believe she will likely face Attempted Murder charges for her plot.

What is Criminal Attempt in Colorado?

In Adams, Denver, and Jefferson County and across Colorado, people are often charged with Criminal Attempt to Commit a Crime. It is charged when a person acts with the “kind of culpability otherwise required for commission of an offense,” and engages in “conduct constituting a substantial step toward the commission of the offense.” Put simply, if a person takes a substantial step towards committing a crime, but the crime isn't actually committed – they will be charged with Criminal Attempt. When using the example above, the 12-year-old could face criminal attempt at Murder charges because she took substantial steps towards committing murder (putting the bleach into her mother's drinks multiple times), but she didn't actually commit the crime (her mother noticed and did not pass away as a result of poisoning).

Poisoning Beverages = A Substantial Step Toward Committing Murder

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Mother Noticed Plot and Survived, so Murder Wasn't Committed

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Criminal Attempt at Murder

Consequences of Criminal Attempt

The sentence for a conviction of Criminal Attempt to Commit a Crime depends entirely on the crime a person was trying to commit. In this case, the girl was trying to commit First Degree Murder – C.R.S. 18-3-102. This crime is a class 1 felony in Douglas, El Paso, and Arapahoe County. When a person is convicted of Criminal Attempt, they are sentenced a step less harshly than if they had completed the crime. In this case, a person convicted of Criminal Attempt to commit Murder would be charged with a class 2 felony. Because the girl is a juvenile, however, and because it is highly unusual that a child of that age tries to commit murder, she will likely face less harsh charges. The law is complex when it comes to juvenile offenders, so it is important to consult with an expert criminal defense lawyer if your child has been charged with a crime.

If your child has been charged with a crime, contact one of our expert juvenile defense attorneys immediately to protect their future.

Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer in Denver

Our culture is rapidly changing. Technology is having an enormous impact on society, and the long-term consequences of an addiction to social media, technology, and other forms of media have not yet been discovered. Children are committing crimes related to technology at younger ages than ever before. For example, a ten-year-old boy was recently caught sexting. Children own cell phones at much younger ages than ever before. A recent study from the Pew Research Study shows that 91% of 16-17 year-olds owns a cell phone, and their internet usage is almost at 100%. If your child has a cell phone, make sure they aren't addicted, or engaging in risky behavior, such as sexting, which could get them in trouble. Talk to your kids about the dangers of being addicted to technology. As an experienced criminal defense lawyer, I have seen the effects of addiction on many of my clients. If your child has been charged with a crime, don't hesitate to contact an attorney at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation to discuss how we can protect your child's future.

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If your child has committed a crime, be smart, tell your child to exercise their right to remain silent, and contact one of the best criminal defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.Request a Free Consultation

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