If you are facing Harassment charges in Greeley, Evans, or Erie, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at our office. We understand how easy it is to be charged with this crime – the police often charge people when they don’t know what else to do. Let’s look at an example in the news to learn more about Harassment and how it is charged in Weld, Morgan, and Logan County.
Harassment Charges: An Example
I came across an article the other day about a man who was charged with Harassment after his ex-girlfriend complained that he was following her and driving past her home repeatedly. Believe it or not, this kind of behavior constitutes Harassment. The problem with our laws in Colorado is that they are too broad, and there are too many. Criminalizing behavior which in the past would have simply been an annoyance creates a ridiculous amount of work. Courts are overwhelmed by people accused of committing small crimes. What could have been dealt with privately in the past is now in the realm of law enforcement.
A man was charged with Harassment for driving past his girlfriend’s home too many times.
Even More Work for the Courts: Domestic Violence
As if Harassment charges aren’t broad enough, our legislature has added more laws to overwhelm courts. One sentence-enhancer which is frequently added to Harassment is Domestic Violence (DV). Domestic Violence is not a crime in and of itself; it is added as a sentence-enhancer to crimes which are committed between two people who are in (or have been) in an intimate relationship. There are two ways in which DV charges overwhelm the courts and the Weld County Jail:
- Mandatory Arrest: If the police are called regarding a Domestic Violence situation, they are required by law to make an arrest. This overwhelms both the jails and courts. There are far too many people in the system to handle correctly.
- DV Treatment: If a person is convicted of a Domestic Violence crime, they will be required to go through Domestic Violence treatment, no matter the level of “violence” committed. This creates more work for the court, probation, and treatment providers, because they monitor DV offenders closely.
Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Greeley
If you are facing Harassment charges, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. At court, you will be encouraged to plead guilty to avoid jail time, but this is not a good choice. Once you plead guilty to an offense, it will be on your record for the rest of your life. Having a criminal record is damaging to your future – you could have a hard time finding a place to live, you won’t be able to pass certain security clearances ,and you may be unable to own or possess firearms or guns. Don’t surrender your rights. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately to fight on your behalf.
If you or a loved one is facing Harassment charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – tookapic