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What is Criminal Tampering in Colorado?

Fort Collins Criminal Tampering Attorney
What is Criminal Tampering in Colorado?

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Read more about Criminal Tampering charges in Colorado. If you have been charged with a crime, contact the O'Malley Law Office today!

Criminal Tampering is a property related crime in Fort Collins and Larimer County. In order to understand the criminal charges of First Degree Criminal Tampering or Second Degree Criminal Tampering, you need to know how Colorado law defines the word ‘tamper.’ According to the Colorado statute, ‘tamper’ means:

interfere with something improperly, to meddle with it, or to make unwarranted alterations in its condition.

Basically, when it comes to property crimes, if you ruin, break, or damage the property of another person, you will be charged with Criminal Mischief. If you simply mess with someone else’s property, but the item is not damaged or ruined, then you will be charged with Criminal Tampering.

First Degree Criminal Tampering Lawyer in Larimer County: Definition of 1st Degree Tampering

The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of First Degree Criminal Tampering – C.R.S. 18-4-505 – is:

Except as provided in sections 18-4-506.3 and 18-4-506.5, a person commits the crime of first degree criminal tampering if, with intent to cause interruption or impairment of a service rendered to the public by a utility or by an institution providing health or safety protection, the person tampers with property of a utility or institution. First degree criminal tampering is a class 2 misdemeanor.

So, say you are angry with your neighbor for listening to music too loudly. You go outside and mess with the electricity box in the yard with the intention of trying to cut the power to their home. This would likely result in a 1st Degree Criminal Tampering charge.

Loveland Second Degree Criminal Tampering Defense Attorney: Definition of 2nd Degree Criminal Trespass

In Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park, Second Degree Criminal Trespass – C.R.S. 18-4-506 – is defined as:

Except as provided in sections 18-4-506.3 and 18-4-506.5, a person commits the crime of second degree criminal tampering if he tampers with property of another with intent to cause injury, inconvenience, or annoyance to that person or to another or if he knowingly makes an unauthorized connection with property of a utility. Second degree criminal tampering is a class 2 misdemeanor.

We often see this crime related to Domestic Violence cases. For example, a boyfriend and girlfriend are having a loud argument in their apartment. A neighbor calls the police and when they arrive, they chat with both parties. The police note that there are clothes strewn all over the apartment. The story unravels and the boyfriend admits to taking all his girlfriend’s clothes out of the closet and dresser and throwing them all over the apartment. When law enforcement talks with the girlfriend, she claims that he knew it would annoy her to mess with her clothes. The boyfriend is then arrested and charged with Second Degree Criminal Tampering as an act of Domestic Violence.

If you or someone you love has been charged with Criminal Tampering, 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. Together, we can protect your future.

Photo by Ellie Burgin

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