Steven Louth Law Offices
Sex crimes are some of the most serious offenses in Colorado and the laws and potential punishment are crippling. Life is dramatically changed after a sex crime conviction. It is a terrifying experience to be charged with a sex crime. Before speaking with police, it is important to understand your rights and how to proceed going forward. Immediately contact our Denver sex crimes attorney to evaluate your case and advise you how to proceed. Do not make any statements before consulting with an attorney.
Choosing a Denver Sex Crimes Attorney
When facing sexual assault charges you want an attorney who specializes in sex assault criminal defense and one who has extensive experience taking these cases to jury trial. Steven Louth prosecuted sexual assaults while he served as the deputy district attorney of Boulder County. He knows how prosecutors build a case. In private practice for the last seventeen years, Mr. Louth has handled high-profile cases and built a record of successfully defending people accused of sex crimes. He has represented individuals who are absolutely innocent of the accusations. He has worked to get those cases outright dismissed. When the prosecutor will not dismiss the charges Mr. Louth has won acquittals at jury trial. Every case is extremely different and the outcomes for each situation vary considerably. If you are innocent you want an attorney who will fight for your life and your future, who understands the process and the laws, and who has a team to analyze DNA, interview witnesses and bring in exonerating information. Most important you want an attorney who will tell your story. The information below serves to answer questions about sex crime charges, the judicial process and Steven Louth Law Offices. If you want answers to your questions call our office at 303-442-2297 to speak with a Denver and Boulder sexual assault lawyer and set up a free initial consultation.
Sex Assault
There a multiple ways an individual gets charged with a sex crime. Sexual assault is defined as the intrusion or penetration of the victim accompanied by one of the following circumstances:
- causing submission against the victim's will
- engaging in sexual activity when the victim is incapable of appraising the nature of the act
- the victim is less than 15 and the actor is 4 years older
- the victim is over 15 but under 17 and the actor is at least 10 years older or the victim is physically helpless
These situations are defined as sex assault and governed by Colorado law. If convicted and the offender receives a sentence in the department of corrections, it will be an indeterminate sentence of at least the minimum of the presumptive range and a maximum of the offenders natural life. The release is up to the parole board which does not have a reputation for releasing convicted sex offenders until a significant time in the department of corrections has been served. Under certain favorable circumstances the court may sentence the offender to an indeterminate period of probation for a minimum of 10 years for a class 4 felony, and minimum of 20 years for a class 2 or 3 felony to a maximum of the offender's natural life. The punishment is severe and anyone having pending charges is rightfully terrified. Any convicted person who is labeled a sex offender by Colorado law must register as a sex offender for the remainder of their life, unless they petition the court and the court grants the request. These requests are only granted when the court feels registration is unfairly punitive and the safety of the community would not be at risk if the individual was allowed to cease registration. Registering as a sex offender prevents individuals from engaging in normal life. Individuals must notify any potential employers, landlords and their community where they wish to live. They must register any email addresses or screen names and notify the local police department. Failing to register is a class 6 felony.
When Allegations Are False
Every human being deserves to have their side of the story told and have an attorney providing legal advice and advocating your case. We help people charged with sex crimes in a variety of circumstances. People may attach a label when they hear someone is charged with a sex crime, but they don't understand one consensual sexual encounter where the other party decides to make up allegations or misstate facts leads to sex crime charges. Having the possibility of life in prison is something that must be handled correctly from the start by an attorney who has experience dealing with these type of charges. Not all attorneys want to have someone's life in their hands. Mr. Louth has handled numerous sex assault cases over his 25 year career and has obtained many successful outcomes. Mr. Louth is a trial lawyer and has a fantastic record in trial. He has won many sex assault cases where his client walks out the front doors of the courthouse.
The Importance of Trial Experience
Steven Louth conducts multiple jury trials each month and any potential client is always welcome to watch Mr. Louth in trial. One of the keys to positive trial outcomes is to select the right individuals to be part of the jury. Mr. Louth thrives at jury selection, bringing out ideas that will come out later in the trial and removing jurors who do not have favorable views. Trials for sex crimes are stressful for all parties involved. Mr. Louth does not believe there is any person more qualified to help save a person's future. If you wish to speak with a Denver sex crime attorney to discuss your case, contact our office. There is no fee for the initial case evaluation.
When Our Client Has Admitted to the Crime
We have clients who take responsibility for their actions and admit to police officers about their involvement in the offense. We read through the police reports and discuss the case with our client to see what involvement they had and if their confession was in fact true. If our client did commit the offense, our goal is to minimize the length and severity of the repercussions. We work with the District Attorney to get this individual in treatment so they can successfully complete their sentence without re-offending. We push for probation and help them get an evaluation by a therapist licensed with the sex offender management board (SOMB) whose recommendations can help attain our goals.
Internet Sex Crimes
Internet sexual exploitation of a child occurs when an individual invites or entices an individual who the actor knows or believes is under fifteen years of age and is four years younger than the actor to expose or touch his or her intimate parts while communicating with the actor via a computer network, telephone network, data network, text or instant message. When these crimes are prosecuted, the police typically have a transcript of the chat or have subpoenaed any communications over the network used. We review these communications and any evidence the district attorney's office has collected. We then discuss with our client the plan of attack. Each case is different. If you are charged with a internet sex crime and need a Denver sex crimes attorney contact Steven Louth Law Offices for a free case evaluation.
Common Sex Offenses
The following list of crimes are various sex offenses that can be charged in Colorado. Speak with Attorney Steven Louth about your particular situation.
Sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust
Contact the Steven Louth Law Offices Today
Steven Louth Law Offices is proud to have two attorneys, father and son, who dedicate their practice exclusively to criminal defense. Steven Louth began his career serving as a Deputy District Attorney for eight years. He left the DA's office to start his private practice. Mr. Louth has over 25 years practicing criminal law and understand not just how to defend a case, but how to prosecute one too. He uses his experience and knowledge of the criminal justice system to help his clients move on with the least amount of damage from an arrest or investigation. He is a trial attorney who feels most comfortable advocating his clients case in front of a jury. Steve's son, Zach Louth, has worked at Steven Louth Law Offices for the past four years. In 2011 he graduated with a law degree in the top 10% of his class and is licensed to practice in Colorado and California. Zach has successfully appealed a case to the Colorado Supreme Court and knows the ins and outs of the Colorado judicial system and Denver Courts. If you need a Denver Criminal Defense Attorney contact Steven Louth Law Offices for a free consultation. We will explain your charges and the possible penalties and where we see your case headed.