In Fort Collins, Loveland, and across Larimer County, False Reporting to Authorities is charged when a person contacts emergency services or law enforcement to report a crime or emergency that hasn’t occurred. There is another False Reporting statute that was recently updated to add False Reporting of a Mass Shooting or Active Shooter. Let’s look at this new subsection of False Reporting of Explosives, Weapons, or Harmful Substances.
Larimer County False Reporting Lawyer: Definition of False Reporting of Mass Shooting or Active Shooter
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of False Reporting of Explosives, Weapons, or Harmful Substances – C.R.S. 18-8-110 – is:
(2) Any person who reports to any other person that there is a mass shooting or an active shooter in a public or private place or vehicle designed for the transportation of persons or property, knowing that the report is false, causing the occupants of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation to be evacuated or to be issued a shelter-in-place order; causing any disruptions or impacts to regular activities; or resulting in the initiation of a standard response protocol in response to the false report, commits a class 6 felony.
Subsection (2) is the newly added section that addresses mass shooting or active shooter. It’s interesting to note that you do not have to report an incident to the Fort Collins Police, Larimer County Sheriff, or 911. You just have to report to ANY PERSON. This means that if you think it may be a funny prank to tell your friend there is a bomb in the bathroom at work and the friend calls police, you could be facing the class 6 felony charge.
What is the Punishment for False Reporting of a Mass Shooting in Loveland?
In Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park, False Reporting of an Explosive or Mass Shooting is a class 6 felony. This level felony is punishable by 12 to 18 months in the Colorado Department of Corrections.
If you or someone you love has been charged with False Reporting, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. We also practice in Greeley and Weld County. Click HERE to visit our Weld County website. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Maurício Mascaro