Saint Patrick’s Day is a great holiday. We hope you had a good time last night with your friends. We also hope you didn’t drink and drive, because the Loveland, Fort Collins, and Estes Park police were out in force, on the lookout for drunk drivers. If you were charged with DUI or DWAI last night for driving after drinking Continue Reading
Fort Collins Colorado Criminal Defense Attorney Blog
The Three Biggest Mistakes a Defendant Can Make in Larimer County Court
Whenever a criminal case goes to trial in Larimer, Boulder, or Jackson County Court, I meet with my clients to prepare them for trial. This is because the biggest weakness in their cases is usually themselves. The defendant in a sexual offense case, for example, has a lot to lose from a conviction. They could go to prison for many Continue Reading
New Cyberbullying Harassment Bill in Larimer County Would Result in Jail Time for Kids
Harassment – C.R.S. 18-9-111 is a subjective, vague law in Larimer and Boulder County. A simple accusation from an alleged victim is enough for a person to be charged with Harassment. Now, a new bill is under review which would add cyberbullying as a crime under the Harassment statute. Let’s take a closer look at Harassment, and the implications of Continue Reading
Sex Crimes Involving Children: We Need to Be Wary and Alert
The internet has changed the world. Much more caution is required in raising our children than ever before in history. In ages past, all the dangers facing our kids were tangible – we told our kids “not to talk to strangers,” to “run away,” to “say no to drugs.” Now, the threats appear in cyber form. Children are their own Continue Reading
Yard Work Anger: Menacing Charges in Larimer County
Life is full of frustrations. There are good ways to deal with frustration, and there are bad ways to deal with frustration. Unfortunately, last summer, a California woman chose the wrong response to the anger she was feeling. According to police records, the woman grew angry at her neighbor doing yard work. After a confrontation, she went inside, retrieved her Continue Reading
Charged with Arson: Colorado’s Wildfires Intentionally Set?
As the year progresses, we are thrilled by the amount of snow we have received. The past two summers have been rife with fires. We couldn’t help but wonder how many of them were caused by Arson – C.R.S. 18-4-101. Fire investigators know the Waldo Canyon fire in 2012 was started by someone, but they don’t know if it was Continue Reading
Temporary Civil Protection / Restraining Orders in Larimer County
It is easy to get a Temporary Civil Protection Order (C.R.S. 13-14-104.5) against someone in Larimer County. All you have to do is file a few forms with a magistrate or judge. Temporary restraining orders are usually granted. Many people view this as a good thing – restraining orders protect people from becoming the victims of crimes, right? Unfortunately, this Continue Reading
Concealed Carry Permits and DUI: Learn the Basics in Larimer County
In Larimer County and across Colorado, we have a generous law which allows citizens to carry a firearm in a concealed manner. There are restrictions, however. If you struggle with chronic substance abuse (alcohol and drugs), or suffer from a mental health issue, you will not be able to get a concealed carry permit in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Continue Reading
Young Adults Shoot Out Windows: Charged with Criminal Mischief
Late last year in Lafayette, Colorado (which is in Boulder County), four young people were arrested after they shot out the windows of almost 40 homes and vehicles. They used a CO2 powered bb gun for the vandalism. Over $300,000 in damage was done to the cars and homes. When questioned about the motive for the vandalism, the young people Continue Reading
Assault on a Police Officer (Peace Officer) in Loveland, Colorado
The government doesn’t approach cases lightly when police officers claim to be assaulted. This often gives police in Fort Collins, Johnstown, and Estes Park too much freedom and power. Last fall, during the floods in Larimer County, a sheriff’s deputy found a man who was behind the flood-evacuation lines. Instantly, the deputy assumed the man had been looting the area Continue Reading