Denver, CO criminal defense attorney David Lindsey discusses the trends he sees in the prosecution of CO sex crimes. He explains that one of the prominent trends in the prosecution of sex crimes, like in other criminal cases, is the increasing reliance on technology. Even the simplest cases now involve various forms of digital evidence, such as videos, audios, and text messages. Accessing and analyzing cell phone data and records have become common practices, particularly in sex-related cases.

Another trend specific to sex crime prosecutions is the use of pretext calls. This tactic involves law enforcement instructing an alleged victim or complaining witness to make a recorded phone call to the person under investigation. During the call, which the individual may perceive as a conversation with someone they had a prior relationship with, the complaining witness is guided by the police to ask questions intended to elicit potentially incriminating statements. It’s worth noting that there is no legal requirement for the disclosure of the use of pretext calls to the individual being investigated. This approach is now commonly referred to as pretext calls.

Overall, advancements in technology and the application of tactics like pretext calls have had a significant impact on the prosecution of sex crimes, shaping the way evidence is gathered and presented in court.