Harassment charges in Fort Collins and Loveland can stem from many different actions. One commonly charged action that results in a Harassment charge is following someone in public. A man was arrested for just that after a woman reported to law enforcement that he had been following her a store in a mall. He followed her out of the store and proceeded to get into a stolen vehicle and continue to follow her in the parking lot. He was eventually identified and arrested for Harassment and for the stolen vehicle.
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Navigate this blog: Definition of Harassment – Following in Public – in Larimer County |
Definition of Harassment – Following in Public – in Larimer County
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Harassment – C.R.S. 18-9-111 – is:
(a) Strikes, shoves, kicks, or otherwise touches a person or subjects him to physical contact; or
(b) In a public place directs obscene language or makes an obscene gesture to or at another person; or
(c) Follows a person in or about a public place; or
(d) Repealed.
(e) Directly or indirectly initiates communication with a person or directs language toward another person, anonymously or otherwise, by telephone, telephone network, data network, text message, instant message, computer, computer network, computer system, or other interactive electronic medium in a manner intended to harass or threaten bodily injury or property damage, or makes any comment, request, suggestion, or proposal by telephone, computer, computer network, computer system, or other interactive electronic medium that is obscene; or
(f) Makes a telephone call or causes a telephone to ring repeatedly, whether or not a conversation ensues, with no purpose of legitimate conversation; or
(g) Makes repeated communications at inconvenient hours that invade the privacy of another and interfere in the use and enjoyment of another’s home or private residence or other private property; or
(h) Repeatedly insults, taunts, challenges, or makes communications in offensively coarse language to, another in a manner likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response.
The subsection that applies to the story above is (c) – following someone in or about a public place. The mall store and parking lot would both be considered public places. The woman likely reported that the following caused her alarm, which is an important aspect of this charge. The following would have to annoy or alarm the person being followed.
Penalty for Harassment Charges in Loveland
Harassment for following in public is a class 1 misdemeanor. This level misdemeanor is punishable by up to 364 days in the Larimer County Jail.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Harassment, 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 Gugulethu Ndlalani