Colorado criminal charge
Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer in Colorado
Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-3-405.7. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-3-405.7.
What is the penalty for unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 6 years (Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual contact — Applies when the victim is subject to sexual contact by the peace officer under the circumstances described in subsection (1).) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $2,000 to $500,000 (Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual contact — Applies when the victim is subject to sexual contact by the peace officer under the circumstances described in subsection (1).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual contact — Applies when the victim is subject to sexual contact by the peace officer under the circumstances described in subsection (1).; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 12 years (Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual intrusion or penetration — Applies when sexual intrusion or penetration is inflicted on the victim by the peace officer under the circumstances described in subsection (1).) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $3,000 to $750,000 (Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual intrusion or penetration — Applies when sexual intrusion or penetration is inflicted on the victim by the peace officer under the circumstances described in subsection (1).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual intrusion or penetration — Applies when sexual intrusion or penetration is inflicted on the victim by the peace officer under the circumstances described in subsection (1).; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual contact | Class 4 Felony | Applies when the victim is subject to sexual contact by the peace officer under the circumstances described in subsection (1). | 18-3-405.7(2)(a) |
| Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual intrusion or penetration | Class 3 Felony | Applies when sexual intrusion or penetration is inflicted on the victim by the peace officer under the circumstances described in subsection (1). | 18-3-405.7(2)(b) |
Common questions about unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer in Colorado
Is unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer ranges from a Class 4 Felony to a Class 3 Felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-3-405.7.
Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual contact: Class 4 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-3-405.7(2)(a)) · Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer — sexual intrusion or penetration: Class 3 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-3-405.7(2)(b))
What are the penalties for unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer in Colorado?
Penalties for unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a Class 4 Felony up to a Class 3 Felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer?
Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer is governed by C.R.S. § 18-3-405.7 (Unlawful sexual conduct by a peace officer - definition).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.