Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on August 25, 2026
(Denver, Colo.) May 7 – Firm founder Shazam Kianpour of the criminal defense law firm Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., located in Denver, Colo., spoke to three classes at Brighton High School in Brighton, Colo. on the dangers of fraud, ID theft and sexting.
The talks gave students a clear, important message: real-world crimes have real-world consequences.
Said Kianpour, “We want high school students to understand that in our society, people are responsible for their actions. My goal is to help students understand the law, appreciate their roles in society and understand how the criminal justice system works.”
Attorney Kianpour talked to students about consequences of fraud, ID theft and sexting. Examples of fraud included taking a parent’s credit card and using it to make online purchases or in-store acquisitions.
Criminal defense attorney Kianpour also talked to the students about ID theft – a crime similar to credit card fraud. Identity theft is when someone uses another individual’s personally identifying information such as name, Social Security number or credit card number to obtain a credit card or some other benefit in another’s name.
In addition, Kianpour warned the students that sexting is a popular trend in high schools across the country. Sexting – the sending of graphic sexual images by cellphone or computer – can be prosecuted under child pornography laws if the sender or receiver is under 18 years of age or if the image is of someone under 18 years old.
Attorney Kianpour and his legal team defend clients accused of DUI-DWAI, drug crimes, federal crimes, fraud and identity theft, traffic violations, violent crimes, white collar crimes, burglary and theft, and juvenile crimes, among others.
Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. includes attorneys Jeff Wolf and Stephanie Rikeman.
Brighton High School is at 360 South Eighth Ave., Brighton, Colo.
For more information about Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., contact our office or visit shazamlaw.com.
Why Fraud, Identity Theft, and Sexting Carry Real Legal Consequences for Teens
Many students and parents assume that offenses like using a parent’s credit card, sharing a login, or forwarding an image are minor missteps that stay within the family or the school. Colorado law does not draw that line based on age alone. Fraud, identity theft, and sexting charges can all be filed against a minor, and depending on the facts, some can be filed as felonies with consequences that extend well beyond a school suspension.
How Colorado Treats Fraud and Identity Theft Charges
Colorado’s identity theft statute covers using another person’s personal identifying information, such as a name, date of birth, Social Security number, or financial account number, to obtain something of value without that person’s authorization. The charge does not require the victim to be a stranger. Family members, including parents, can be treated as victims under the statute depending on how a case is charged. Fraud charges connected to credit or debit card misuse are evaluated separately and can carry their own penalties based on the value involved.
Sexting and Child Pornography Laws in Colorado
Colorado has a distinct statute addressing sexting between minors that treats certain first-time, consensual exchanges between teens differently from adult child pornography offenses. That statute has specific requirements, and conduct that falls outside it, such as sharing an image with someone who did not consent to receive it, forwarding an image to others, or any involvement by an adult, can result in prosecution under Colorado’s broader sexual exploitation of a child laws. Those charges carry felony-level consequences and can trigger sex offender registration requirements regardless of the age of the person who sent or received the image.
What Students and Parents Should Understand
A single decision made quickly on a phone, whether it involves a borrowed credit card, someone else’s personal information, or a shared image, can follow a young person well beyond high school. A juvenile record or an adult charge can affect college applications, financial aid, professional licensing, and employment background checks. Talking openly with teens about what the law actually covers, rather than what feels like a private or harmless choice, is one of the most effective ways to prevent a case from ever starting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fraud, ID Theft, and Sexting Charges
Can a minor be charged with identity theft for using a parent’s credit card?
It is possible depending on how the incident is charged and whether the parent reports it. Using another person’s financial information without authorization can fall under fraud or identity theft statutes, even within a family, though prosecutors and families often handle first-time situations informally when possible.
Is sexting between two teenagers always a felony in Colorado?
Not always. Colorado has a specific sexting statute that treats certain first-time, consensual exchanges between minors differently from more serious sexual exploitation charges. Whether that statute applies depends closely on the specific facts, including consent, forwarding, and the ages involved.
What should a parent do if their teen is accused of a fraud or sexting offense?
Speaking with a criminal defense attorney before the teen answers questions from school officials or law enforcement is important, since statements made early in an investigation can affect how a case is charged and resolved.
Can a juvenile record affect college or job applications later?
It can, depending on the charge, how the case was resolved, and whether records were sealed or expunged. Some background checks and licensing applications ask about juvenile adjudications, which is why addressing a case properly from the start matters.
Does forwarding someone else’s photo count as a separate offense?
Forwarding an image to someone who was not an intended recipient can move a situation outside Colorado’s limited sexting statute and into more serious distribution-related charges, particularly if the image involves a minor.
Shazam Kianpour and his legal team regularly work with families facing fraud, identity theft, and juvenile sex-offense allegations across Colorado, and we understand how quickly a young person’s future can be affected by how a case is handled early on.
If your student or family is facing one of these situations, contact our office to discuss the specific facts of your case.
About the Attorney
Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C.
Shazam Kianpour is a Denver criminal defense attorney who has handled thousands of criminal and juvenile cases across Colorado, including fraud, identity theft, and internet-related offenses. He previously served as a Colorado State Public Defender and is a member of the Colorado Bar Association and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.
Written by
Shazam KianpourDenver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.