A Lone Tree Drug Enforcement Administration Officer (DEA officer) was arrested for an alleged Domestic Violence incident. While not many details are being released, it was reported that the officer flattened his victim’s tire while on the job. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested him for Criminal Mischief – Domestic Violence.
Definition of Criminal Mischief in Fort Collins
Criminal Mischief is charged when someone has damaged another person’s property in Larimer, Boulder and Grand County. The monetary damage amount of the property is what determines which class misdemeanor or felony is charged. If the damage totals:
- $499 or less: class 2 misdemeanor
- $500 – $999: class 1 misdemeanor
- $1,000 – $19,999: class 4 felony
- $20,000 or more: class 3 felony
A felony charge may require time to be served in the Colorado Department of Corrections, whereas a misdemeanor charge may require county jail time, served in the Larimer County Jail or Boulder County Jail. Financial restitution will also be part of the sentence. An experienced criminal defense attorney, like the ones at the O’Malley Law Office, can work out a dismissal or a possible work release sentence.
Domestic Violence Sentence Enhancer for this DEA
Sex is no longer a requirement for an intimate relationship, even friends can be charged.
The Domestic Violence sentence enhancer is added when the underlying charge, in this case Criminal Mischief, is perpetrated against a significant other or a spouse. In fact, the DV sentence enhancer can be added to any crime occurring between two people who are in an ‘intimate relationship.’ Colorado law’s definition of ‘intimate relationship’ is vague and leaves much up to interpretation. Sex is no longer a requirement for an intimate relationship, even friends can be charged.