Abuse of a Corpse is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person is accused of treating someone’s remains in a disrespectful way. The Lake County Coroner was charged for his mistreatment of human remains and is now facing 14 criminal charges. According to the report, a search warrant was executed and a body was found unrefrigerated with paperwork not filed appropriately. This is not the first time the Coroner had been accused of mishandling bodies as he was previous charged for leaving the body of a man in a coffin for more than 6 months. Amongst the other charges, five of them are for Abuse of a Corpse.
Larimer County Abuse of a Corpse Lawyer: Definition of Abuse of a Corpse in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Abuse of a Corpse – C.R.S. 18-13-101 – is:
(a) Removes the body or remains of any person from a grave or other place of sepulcher without the consent of the person who has the right to dispose of the remains pursuant to section 15-19-106; or
(b) Treats the body or remains of any person in a way that would outrage normal family sensibilities.
As far as the coroner is concerned, you would expect a level of professionalism when having them handle the body of a loved one. This would include proper paperwork, refrigeration, and procedures for embalming or cremating the body. Any actions outside of this would result in upsetting the family of the deceased person. I mean, you would be upset if you found out your uncle’s body was sitting unrefrigerated in a mortuary.
Sentence for Abuse of a Corpse in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Abuse of a Corpse is a class 6 felony. This level felony is punishable by 12 to 18 months in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $100,000 in fines.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Abuse of a Corpse, 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 your free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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