In Fort Collins and Larimer County, First Degree Assault is a very serious charge. Most assume that serious, life threatening injuries result when someone is charged with this offense, but that is not always the case. When a police officer or other emergency service provider is involved, no injury is necessary. A Boulder County incident resulted in a man being arrested for First Degree Assault on a Peace Officer. According to the report, the Lafayette police were pursuing a car after it was reported that those in the car were breaking into other vehicles. A chase ensued and, at one point, someone in the car fires shots at the officers. At one point, everyone runs, but all four passengers in the car are eventually detained. Three of the males were charged with First Degree Assault, even though no one was injured. Let’s look at the statute to see why.
Larimer County Assault in the First Degree on a Police Officer: Definition of 1st Degree Assault on a Peace Officer
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Assault in the First Degree on a Peace Officer – C.R.S. 18-3-202(1)(e) – is:
(e) With intent to cause serious bodily injury upon the person of a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical service provider, he or she threatens with a deadly weapon a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical service provider engaged in the performance of his or her duties, and the offender knows or reasonably should know that the victim is a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical service provider acting in the performance of his or her duties
So, no actual injuries need to be sustained when it comes to police officers, firefighters, and emergency service providers. Instead, simply threatening with a weapon can result in this serious felony charge. By shooting at the officers, the men can be charged with this crime.
Sentence for First Degree Assault on a Peace Officer in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, First Degree Assault on a Peace Officer is a class 3 felony. This crime is punishable by 4 to 12 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $750,000 in fines.
If you or someone you love has been charged with First Degree Assault on a Peace Officer, 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 or set up a jail visit. Together, we can protect your future.
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