Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111 (1)(b) and (1)(h), is often charged at the Larimer County Courts in Fort Collins, CO for directing obscene language or gestures at another person in public. It is important to recognize that in Colorado, swearing at another person in public or repeatedly insulting them are not protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This is considered “fighting words” in Colorado, which is one act of speech that the First Amendment does not protect as free speech. If you have been charged with Harassment for swearing at another person, don’t wait – call our top criminal defense lawyers to discuss your case today.
Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111 in Fort Collins, CO
Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111, as it relates to verbally harassing another, is defined as follows in Fort Collins, CO:
(b) In a public place directs obscene language or makes an obscene gesture to or at another person; or (h) Repeatedly insults, taunts, challenges, or makes communications in offensively coarse language to, another in a manner likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response.
Notice that it really does not take much to be criminally charged with Harassment. You can be charged just for swearing at another person or for repeatedly using “offensively coarse language.”
Why Isn’t Obscene Language Protected Under the First Amendment in Larimer County?
If you were charged with Harassment for using obscene language or another form of verbally harassing another person, you may wonder why obscene language isn’t protected by the First Amendment in Larimer County. While many forms of communication are protected as free speech in the U.S., anything that counts as “fighting words” is not protected by the Constitution. Fighting words include anything that could incite violence or a fight, or otherwise cause a “disorderly response.” For that reason, you can be charged with Harassment for swearing at another person, flipping the bird, or using other language that could provoke a fight.
Larimer County Jail Time for Verbal Harassment in Loveland and Estes Park
Larimer County Jail time and other penalties for acts of verbal Harassment in Loveland and Estes Park depend on the specific act that resulted in criminal charges. Subsection (1)(b), directing obscene language or gestures at another person, is a petty offense. This could result in up to 10 days of jail time and/or a $300 fine. By contrast, subsection (1)(h), repeatedly insulting, taunting, or challenging another person, is a class 2 misdemeanor. This is instead punishable by a maximum of 120 days in the Larimer County Jail and a possible $750 fine.
Regardless of how you were charged with Harassment, it is important to contact a top Larimer County criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. These kinds of penalties can have long-lasting effects on your future, resulting in consequences like job loss and unemployability. By representing you at the Larimer County Courts, we can help ensure that these penalties are as minimal as possible. Don’t wait, and give us a call today so that you can protect your future.
If you’ve been charged with Harassment, always remember to be smart, and exercise your right to remain silent. Then call (970) 658-0007 to discuss your case with one of our top criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office today. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Larimer County Courthouse is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Vera Arsic