Being charged with Harassment in Greeley, Colorado can feel confusing, stressful, and overwhelming. Often, these charges arise from misunderstandings, heated arguments, or emotionally charged situations and they can quickly spiral into serious legal problems. At O’Malley Law Office, we understand how easily Harassment allegations can be exaggerated or misinterpreted, and we’re here to help!
If you’re facing Harassment charges in Colorado, here’s what you need to know.
Lawyer for Weld County Harassment Charges: What Is Harassment Under Colorado Law?
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-9-111, a person commits Harassment if, with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, they:
- Hit, shove, kick, or otherwise touch someone with physical contact (without causing injury)
- Follow someone in or around public places
- Use obscene language or gestures toward someone in public
- Communicate with someone (in person, by phone, text, or online) in a way that’s obscene, threatening, or repeated to cause annoyance or alarm
- Repeatedly contact someone after being asked to stop
The statute is broad and that’s part of the problem. Many actions that are impulsive, emotional, or even non-threatening can lead to criminal Harassment charges, especially in the context of domestic disputes or neighborhood conflicts.
Harassment and Domestic Violence in Firestone and Windsor
If the alleged Harassment occurred between current or former intimate partners, it may be classified as Harassment with a Domestic Violence (DV) enhancement.
This means:
- A mandatory protection order is issued by the court
- You may be required to leave your home or cease contact with the alleged victim
- You could face mandatory DV treatment classes
- A DV conviction can never be sealed and could impact gun ownership, custody rights, and employment
Is Harassment a Misdemeanor or Felony in Johnstown, Colorado?
In most cases, Harassment is charged as a misdemeanor, but the exact classification can vary:
|
Type of Conduct |
Charge |
Penalty |
| Physical contact without injury | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 364 days in the Weld County Jail
|
| Following, repeated contact | Class 2 Misdemeanor | Up to 120 days in the Weld County Jail
|
| Obscene language | Petty offense | Up to 10 days in the Weld County Jail
|
| Harassment with bias motivation (e.g. race, religion) | Hate Crime | Enhanced penalties
|
It’s also important to know that each contact or incident could potentially be charged as a separate count, multiplying your exposure to penalties.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Harassment, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Yan Krukau