Eavesdropping is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person listens to a conversation without the consent of at least one of the communicating parties. A mother was recently arrested and charged after she allegedly used her child’s stuffed animal to plant a bug and spy on her ex-husband. According to the report, the ex had picked up the stuffed animal while he was with the child and squeezed it’s stomach, expecting it to talk. Instead, he heard his own child’s voice. He suspected someone was bugging the animal. He found the recorder and realized that he had been recorded as well. He contacted police and his ex-wife was arrested.
Larimer County Eavesdropping Lawyer: Definition of Eavesdropping / Bugging a Stiffed Animal
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Eavesdropping – C.R.S. 18-9-304 – is:
(a) Knowingly overhears or records such conversation or discussion without the consent of at least one of the principal parties thereto, or attempts to do so; or
(b) Intentionally overhears or records such conversation or discussion for the purpose of committing, aiding, or abetting the commission of an unlawful act; or
(c) Knowingly uses for any purpose, discloses, or attempts to use or disclose to any other person the contents of any such conversation or discussion while knowing or having reason to know the information was obtained in violation of this section; or
(d) Knowingly aids, authorizes, agrees with, employs, permits, or intentionally conspires with any person to violate the provisions of this section.
The ex-wife would likely be charged under subsection (a) if this had occurred in Colorado. Even if this was the first time, she had sent the child with the recording device and never actually heard any conversations, attempting to Eavesdrop is charged the same as if the crime had been committed.
Sentence for Eavesdropping in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park, Eavesdropping is a class 1 misdemeanor. This level misdemeanor is punishable by 6 to 18 months in the Larimer County Jail and up to $5,000 in fines. Possessing an Eavesdropping Device is another related crime that can be charged. This is a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by 3 months to 364 days in the Larimer County Jail, unless it is a second or subsequent offense, in which case it is a class 5 felony.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Eavesdropping, 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 consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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