Legislators in the Colorado House will soon be taking up consideration of a bill that would increase penalties for those who are convicted of certain sex-related offenses, according to a recent article in the Aurora Sentinel.
The bill, House Bill 14-1260, demands harsher penalties for people convicted of “a felony sex offense involving intrusion against a child who is under twelve years of age” when the convicted person is at least ten years older than the child, according to the language of the bill. The Aurora Sentinel describes it as a version of “Jessica’s Law,” a 2005 Florida statute that sought to track people convicted of certain sex offenses closely and to increase the penalties that came with these convictions.
The Colorado bill includes the following penalties:
- A mandatory minimum presumptive range of 10 to 16 years for a class 4 felony,
- A mandatory minimum presumptive range of 18 to 32 years for a class 3 felony,
- A mandatory minimum presumptive range of 24 to 48 years for a class 2 felony.
Although these ranges represent the minimum sentence required for certain sex-offense convictions, the maximum potential sentence is a life sentence to prison. Approximately 35 more people each year are expected to receive increased sentences if the bill passes.
Being accused of a crime does not prove you did anything wrong – but the costs of a conviction can be steep. Working with an experienced Colorado criminal defense attorney like the ones at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. can help you protect your legal rights and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. For a free and confidential consultation, contact us today at (719) 475-2555.