Sometimes good people make bad decisions. For example, last year in Fort Collins, a group of people were having a company party at a hotel. The partiers were loud, and when the police showed up and asked them to leave, they refused. The situation quickly escalated when one of the men fought with an officer and tried to take his weapon. The other people began to egg the attacker on. The evening ended with five people being charged with Resisting Arrest – C.R.S. 18-8-103, and other offenses. These kinds of situations occur often throughout Larimer County, in Timnath, Fort Collins, and Loveland.
What is Resisting Arrest?
According to Colorado statute, a person is charged with Resisting Arrest when he or she “knowingly prevents or attempts to prevent a peace officer” from arresting them by means of physical (or threatened) force or violence, while the officer is “acting under color of his official authority.”
What is the Sentence for Resisting Arrest?
Resisting Arrest is a class 2 misdemeanor. If a person is convicted of this offense, they could face up to one year in the Larimer County Jail. There are other long-lasting consequences to a conviction. The general public trusts police officers and sheriff’s deputies almost implicitly. Having a conviction of Resisting Arrest on your record can discourage employers from hiring you. Or, it can reflect badly on your current employer, as in the case of the people arrested after their company party in Fort Collins. Because of this, it is wise to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney if you have been charged with Resisting Arrest.
What To Do if You Are Arrested
Good people make mistakes. The partygoers in Fort Collins may have been drinking. Alcohol destroys the judgment of even the wisest people. Maybe the police acted with excessive force during the altercation. Whatever the circumstances, we always tell our clients: Always submit to an arrest quietly. Usually the only witnesses to the event are the police and yourself. The cops are the “victims” in the case as well as the main witness. This can be a dangerous situation for you. The police officer will make detailed notes about your arrest – don’t give him anything negative to report. If a police officer uses excessive force, however – you have the right to defend yourself in Waverly, Berthoud, or Loveland. If this is the case, you will need to work with an experienced criminal lawyer to fight for your freedom and rights.