Evans Harassment Lawyer: What Is Harassment Under Colorado Law?
Under C.R.S. 18-9-111, Harassment includes actions such as striking, shoving, or kicking someone, following a person in public, or making repeated or anonymous communications intended to harass, annoy, or alarm. It is generally charged as a class 2 or class 1 misdemeanor depending on the subsection you are charged under.
Is Domestic Violence a Separate Crime in Colorado? A Weld County Harassment Lawyer Explains
No. Domestic Violence in Colorado is a designation added to an underlying offense, such as Harassment, assault, or criminal mischief, when the alleged victim is a current or former intimate partner. Harassment with a Domestic Violence designation is treated far more seriously than a standalone charge.
What Are the Consequences for Domestic Violence in Weld County?
A Domestic Violence designation can bring consequences beyond the base charge:
- Mandatory protection order: often issued at the first court appearance, which may bar you from your home or from contacting a partner or children
- Court-ordered treatment: a Domestic Violence offender program, usually lasting 36 weeks or more
- Firearm restrictions: a conviction can trigger state and federal bans on possessing firearms
- Lasting record: the designation appears on background checks and can affect employment and housing
How Are Harassment and DV Cases Handled in Greeley?
Colorado law requires officers to make an arrest when they have probable cause in a Domestic Violence situation. Cases from Greeley and surrounding Weld County are prosecuted by the Weld County District Attorney’s Office, with proceedings in the Weld County courts. Prosecutors may move forward even if the alleged victim does not want to pursue the case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harassment DV
Is Harassment a felony in Colorado?
Harassment is typically a misdemeanor, though related charges can be felonies.
Can I be arrested for Domestic Violence without a visible injury?
Yes. Officers may arrest based on probable cause, even without physical injury.
Will I get a protection order?
Courts commonly issue mandatory protection orders in Domestic Violence cases.
Should I talk to police before hiring an attorney?
No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel.
If you’ve been charged with Harassment or a Domestic Violence crime, 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.
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