A 21-year-old buys alcohol for her younger brother who then drives drunk and gets in an accident. A teacher brings marijuana to school to give to a couple of their students. A mother lets her children play with sparklers, forgetting there is a fire ban in place. A parent lets their teenager use spray paint for an art project, and the teenager decides to deface a building. What do all of these examples have in common? All of the adults would be considered to have “induced, aided, or encouraged” the minor in illegal behavior, and could be facing a felony charge in Denver, Colorado.

Definition of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Jefferson County and Adams County

In Jefferson County, Adams County, and throughout Colorado, the definition of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – C.R.S. 18-6-701 – is:

“Any person who induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate any federal or state law, municipal or county ordinance, or court order commits contributing to the delinquency of a minor. For the purposes of this section, the term “child” means any person under the age of eighteen years.”

This definition is very broad, and doesn't account for the different range of crimes that could have been committed. The child may have committed a class 3 misdemeanor like possession of illegal fireworks, or a class 3 felony such as vehicular homicide. If someone is thought to have induced, aided, or encouraged the minor to violate a law, they can be charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, regardless of the severity of the crime.

Arapahoe County Penalty for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

In Arapahoe County, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor is a class 4 felony. This means that if charged, you could be facing a possibility of 2-6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, a fine between $2,000 to $500,000, and a term of mandatory parole after release from prison.

Douglas County Attorney for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor

It is crazy that letting a 15 year old possess illegal fireworks could be charged as harshly as Sexual Assault or Robbery. If you are contacted by Douglas County Sheriffs regarding Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor charges, it is vital that you remain silent. Instead of speaking to police, contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group. Call us today at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.

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