When people hear about the sex offender registry, they frequently believe that people can only be put on the sex offender list as adults for convictions of the most violent sex crimes. In fact, there are a wide range of crimes that can result in a person being put on this list.
Laws in Colorado require many people who are convicted or plead guilty to sexual related crimes to register as a sex offender. This means their name and alleged crime will be highlighted on a specific list, and they will have to abide by certain requirements, such as the ability to possess a weapon or live near certain institutions.
Minors might also be required to register as a sex offender for a conviction. In some states, urinating in public is a crime that would result in a sex offender registration, and two teenagers having consensual sex. A person can often appeal their registration as a sex offender when they turn 18 years old, or after a certain number of years, depending on the severity of their alleged crime.
These registrations can result in a person not being able to live in a certain area, and might attach a stigma to a person that can last far longer than any sentence they are required to serve for a conviction. Speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Colorado can help a person appeal their need to register as a sex offender. They might also be able to help a person appeal an original conviction of a crime.
Source: Business Insider, “7 Surprising Things That Could Make You A Sex Offender,” Erin Fuchs, Oct. 9, 2013