Did you know that in Fort Collins and Larimer County blocking a sidewalk is a criminal offense? Well, now you do! Recently, actress Susan Sarandon was arrested for just that – an issue stemming from a protest. According to the report, the actress was involved in a minimum wage protest because a state had raised their minimum wage, but failed to include hospitality workers like waiters and waitresses. The reports state that she and seven others were blocking walking traffic and refused to move when asked (sounds like a relatively peaceful protest to me). The police arrested them for Disorderly Conduct, but if this had occurred in Colorado, the charge would have been Obstructing a Highway or Other Passageway.
Obstructing a Highway or Other Passageway Charges in Larimer County: Legal Definition for Blocking a Sidewalk in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway – C.R.S. 18-9-107 – is:
(a) Obstructs a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, building entrance, elevator, aisle, stairway, or hallway to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access or any other place used for the passage of persons, vehicles, or conveyances, whether the obstruction arises from his acts alone or from his acts and the acts of others; or
(b) Disobeys a reasonable request or order to move issued by a person the individual or corporation knows to be a peace officer, a firefighter, or a person with authority to control the use of the premises, to prevent obstruction of a highway or passageway or to maintain public safety by dispersing those gathered in dangerous proximity to a fire, riot, or other hazard.
It’s important to know that in this section, ‘obstruct’ means “to render impassable or to render passage unreasonably inconvenient or hazardous. So, based on the definition and the report, it’s likely that the actress would have been charged under both subsections. She is accused of not just blocking the sidewalk, but also refusing to move when ordered by law enforcement.
Sentence for Obstructing a Passageway in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Obstructing a Sidewalk, Highway, or Passageway is a petty offense. However, if aggravating circumstances apply, then it can be charged as a class 2 misdemeanor. These aggravating circumstances include knowingly obstructing a highway or other passageway where a funeral procession is taking place.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Obstructing a Sidewalk, Highway or Other Passageway, 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. We also practice in Greeley and Weld County. Click here to visit our Weld County website. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Life Matters