In Greeley, Colorado, a charge of Obstructing a Peace Officer may seem like a minor offense—but don’t be fooled. It’s a criminal charge that can carry serious consequences, including jail time and a permanent mark on your record. At O’Malley Law Office, we defend clients throughout Colorado who are facing Obstruction of a Police Officer charges, often in cases where emotions were high and law enforcement overreacted. If you or someone you know has been accused of Interfering with a Police Officer, here’s what you need to know.
How Is Obstructing a Peace Officer Charge in Weld County? A Greeley Criminal Attorney Explains
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-8-104, you can be charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer in Greeley and across Colorado if you knowingly:
- Use or threaten to use violence, force, or physical interference
- Obstruct, impair, or hinder a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical provider, or search and rescue team
- While they are performing a lawful duty
This offense is typically charged as a Class 2 misdemeanor, which can carry up to 120 days in jail and a $750 fine. In some cases, the officers or DA may add related charges, such as Resisting Arrest or Disorderly Conduct, escalating the potential penalties.
Examples of Obstruction in Erie and Evans
Obstruction charges are often subjective and can arise in a wide range of situations, including:
- Physically blocking an Evans police officer from making an arrest
- Refusing to comply with lawful commands of a Weld County Sheriff deputy during a lawful investigation
- Interfering with emergency responders at the scene of an accident
- Filming or yelling at the Erie police in a way that prevents them from doing their job (Note: filming officers is legal in Colorado, but interfering is not)
It’s also important to note that verbal disagreement alone is not enough to constitute Obstruction. Officers may claim you interfered, but the law requires proof that you used physical interference or a credible threat.