Being listed on the Colorado Sex Offender Registry can have serious consequences. If you are on the Colorado Sex Offender’s Registry and believe you don’t belong there, you can have yourself removed. It’s not a quick process. But given what being on the registry can do to your reputation, your ability to get employment, a rental to live in, and more, it’s often worth the attempt.
Petitioning for Colorado Sex Offender Registry Removal
In Colorado, individuals convicted of sexual offenses can petition the court to have their name removed from the state’s sex offender registry. In order to succeed in their petition, individuals must demonstrate that they no longer pose a risk to public safety. To do so, they must meet certain requirements outlined by the court.
In order to get removed from the registry, individuals must:
- Not be convicted of sexual assault or incest.
- Petition within the correct time frame (see below).
- Prove that you have completed all of your court-ordered therapy and education.
- Prove that you meet all other probation or parole requirements.
- Not be considered “sexually violent.”
- Have only one conviction for a sex crime on your record.
- Petition the court for removal.
After Removal From the Sex Offender Registry
If successful, your name will be removed from the registry, and all standing requirements for you to re-register will be removed. However, your conviction as a sex offender will remain on your record unless you also successfully petition to have that conviction expunged.
It is important to note that the court has the final say in the decision to remove an individual from the sex offender registry. Even when all of the above requirements are met, the judge is not obligated to grant the removal. As such, petitioners must ensure that all necessary documents are submitted and that they make a convincing case before the court.
Consulting with a Sex Crime Attorney
If you believe you don’t belong on the Colorado Sex Offender Registry and you meet the qualifications above, it is highly recommended that you seek the assistance of a Colorado sex crime attorney. Christopher T. Braddock is experienced in this area and can help guide you through the process and build a compelling argument for why you should be removed from the registry. He will fight to win you a better chance at a fresh start.
Working with a Colorado sex crime attorney early on in the process can be key to a successful petition. An experienced attorney can provide you a detailed outline of the steps necessary to successfully petition for removal from Colorado’s sex offender registry. This will include the preparation of paperwork, gathering of evidence, and conducting interviews with those involved in your case.
Time Frames for Petitioning for Removal From the Colorado Sex Offender Registry
If you were convicted of a sex crime, you will be on the sex offender registry for some length of time. Specifically, you cannot petition for removal until:
- 20 years have passed since the end of probation or parole, if your conviction was for a felony 1, felony 2, or felony 3 sexual crime.
- 10 years have passed since the end of probation or parole, if your conviction was for a felony 4, felony 5, felony 6, or misdemeanor 1 sexual crime.
- 5 years have passed since the end of probation or discharge of the sentence. if your conviction was for a sexual crime of any grade of misdemeanor other than the class one misdemeanor of Sexual Contact – No Consent.
- After your case has been completed, if you received deferred judgment.
- After your sentence has been completed, if you were less than 18 years old when the crime was committed.