Sending or posting private images can lead to criminal charges for teenagers in Arapahoe County. When this is done without the subject's consent, law enforcement may involve themselves in the situation. Even sending a sexual image to someone who didn't ask for it is unlawful when the recipient experiences distress. For help navigating a juvenile sexting charge, contact an experienced sex crimes attorney as soon as possible.

Colorado's Juvenile Sexting Laws

Violations of Colorado's juvenile sexting laws are found in C.R.S. 18-7-109. Regarding distributing and posting private images, the law states:

• “a juvenile commits the offense of posting a private image by a juvenile if he or she, through digital or electronic means:
  • knowingly distributes, displays, or publishes to the view of another person a sexually explicit image of a person other than himself or herself who is at least fourteen years of age or is less than four years younger than the juvenile:
    • without the depicted person's permission; or
    • when the recipient did not solicit or request to be supplied with the image and suffered emotional distress; or
    • when the juvenile knew or should have known that the depicted person had a reasonable expectation that the image would remain private; or
  • knowingly distributes, displays, or publishes, to the view of another person who is at least fourteen years of age or is less than four years younger than the juvenile, a sexually explicit image of himself or herself when the recipient did not solicit or request to be supplied with the image and suffered emotional distress

Relationships among teenagers can become complicated quickly, potentially leading to a situation where images are sent or posted without consent. This may be done out of revenge or anger between boyfriends and girlfriends.

Penalties for Juvenile Sexting in Arapahoe County

Posting a private image by a juvenile is typically a class 2 misdemeanor in Arapahoe County. However, there are specific circumstances that increase the offense to a class 1 misdemeanor:

• if the intent of the post was to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or cause emotional distress,
• the offense is not the minor's first for posting a private image,
• or he or she posted / sent 3 or more images of 3 or more different people

Aurora Juvenile Sexting Attorney

When a teenage boy or girl is accused of a sex crime it is important to consult a strategic sex crimes lawyer. There are defenses to juvenile sexting charges that might apply to your teen's case and lead to a dismissal. In other situations we can work to reduce the charges and ramifications so that your son or daughter isn't impacted long-term. Contact one of our three conveniently located offices for a free initial consultation. We offer affordable fees and also flexible payment plans for families navigating juvenile sex crime charges throughout Colorado.

So, if your child or one close to your family is facing sexting charges, be smart. Contact the driven defense attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.

Photo by Luke Porter