Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111, is frequently charged as a crime of Domestic Violence in Fort Collins, CO. DV is added as a sentence enhancer to Harassment when the accused was in an intimate relationship with the alleged victim at any point when the crime took place. Our top criminal defense lawyers with over 30 years of experience usually see this happen in forms of communication harassment, when one person repeatedly texts or calls the other. If you are in a similar situation, don’t wait to give us a call. Protecting your future starts with retaining an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you at the Larimer County Courts.
Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111 as a Crime of Domestic Violence in Fort Collins
Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111, can be charged as a crime of Domestic Violence in Fort Collins if the defendant and alleged victim were ever in an intimate relationship at any point. Common ways we see DV Harassment charged under Colorado law include the following subsections:
(e) Directly or indirectly initiates communication with a person or directs language toward another person, anonymously or otherwise, by telephone, telephone network, data network, text message, instant message, computer, computer network, computer system, or other interactive electronic medium in a manner intended to harass or threaten bodily injury or property damage, or makes any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal by telephone, computer, computer network, computer system, or other interactive electronic medium that is obscene; or (f) Makes a telephone call or causes a telephone to ring repeatedly, whether or not a conversation ensues, with no purpose of legitimate conversation; or (g) Makes repeated communications at inconvenient hours that invade the privacy of another and interfere in the use and enjoyment of another’s home or private residence or other private property.
Usually, what happens is that a couple is dating and everything seems to be going well. Suddenly, one person suddenly stops talking to the other out of the blue. The other person tries to figure out what’s going on, and keeps texting and calling the first one. Much to their surprise, the Fort Collins Police then show up at their doorstep and arrest them for Domestic Violence Harassment.
Intimate Relationships in Domestic Violence Cases in Loveland and Estes Park
To understand when Domestic Violence is tacked onto Harassment as a sentence enhancer in Loveland and Estes Park, it is first important to understand what intimate relationships are. Intimate relationships are defined in C.R.S. 18-6-800.3 (2) as “a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or present unmarried couples, or persons who are both the parents of the same child.” Learn more about how the Northern Colorado Courts determine what counts as an intimate relationship here.
Larimer County Jail Time and Other Penalties for Domestic Violence Harassment
In Colorado, Domestic Violence Harassment can be a petty offense, class 2 misdemeanor, or class 1 misdemeanor, and is punishable by Larimer County Jail time and other penalties. These include:
- Up to 364 days of jail time
- A fine of up to $1,000
- Required Domestic Violence treatment
- Firearm and ammunition relinquishment
If you have been charged with DV Harassment, act now to protect your future. Call our top Domestic Violence lawyers today to discuss your case and retain an attorney with over 30 years of experience successfully handling cases just like yours.
Have you been charged with Domestic Violence Harassment? First, be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent. Then call 970-658-0007 to discuss your case with one of our top criminal defense lawyers today. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Larimer County Justice Center is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Monstera Production