Criminal Impersonation charges in Weld County are more common than many people realize and they often stem from stressful situations, misunderstandings, or split-second decisions. What may feel like a simple mistake can quickly escalate into a felony charge with long lasting consequences.
Whether your case involves a traffic stop in Greeley, an employment matter in Windsor or Frederick, or a police investigation in Evans, Firestone, Fort Lupton, Eaton, Severance, Dacono, or any other Weld County community, it’s important to understand how these charges are handled locally and why early legal intervention is critical.
What Is Criminal Impersonation Under Colorado Law? A Weld County Criminal Defense Lawyer Explains
Colorado’s Criminal Impersonation statute generally applies when someone intentionally:
- Assumes a false identity, or
- Pretends to be another person,
- To gain a benefit or cause someone else harm.
The law is broad, which means people are often charged in situations they didn’t realize were criminal. In Weld County, Criminal Impersonation cases frequently arise from:
- Giving a false name during a traffic stop
- Using someone else’s driver’s license or ID
- Providing another person’s information to avoid a ticket or warrant
- Signing documents on someone else’s behalf
- Using another person’s identity for employment or benefits
- Online impersonation or social media misuse
- Attempting to enter a bar or venue with a borrowed ID
A misunderstanding, a moment of panic, or pressure from a difficult situation can lead to very serious consequences.
Criminal Impersonation Can Be a Felony in Erie and Windsor, Colorado
In many cases, Criminal Impersonation is charged as a Class 5 felony, Class 6 felony, Class 1 misdemeanor, or Class 2 misdemeanor depending on the subsection under which a person is charged. This means a conviction can lead to:
- Jail or prison time
- Probation and costly supervision requirements
- Heavy fines and restitution
- A permanent felony record
- Loss of professional opportunities
- Immigration consequences
Law enforcement agencies in Weld County, including Greeley PD, Windsor PD, Evans PD, Frederick PD, Fort Lupton PD, Firestone PD, and the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, routinely refer these cases to the Weld County District Attorney’s Office for aggressive prosecution.
What Prosecutors Must Prove in a Greeley Criminal Impersonation Case
The prosecution must show that you knowingly and intentionally used another identity, or a false one, to obtain a benefit or cause harm. This can be harder to prove than many people think.
Prosecutors often rely on:
- Officer statements
- Video or bodycam footage
- Documents or forms
- Traffic stop reports
- Witness statements
- Social media or digital evidence
But evidence is not always clear, complete, or accurate. Also, there is a specific crime of False Reporting of Identifying Information, a misdemeanor, that sometimes applies and is more appropriate and less harsh.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Criminal Impersonation, 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 Sound On