Trespass is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person is accused of remaining on someone else’s property unlawfully. This is a VERY common charge in Fort Collins – many as a result of a night out at the downtown bars. We get many calls from people on Monday morning telling us practically the exact same story – drinking at the downtown bars, for one reason or another bouncer tells them to leave, the person doesn’t immediately bee-line out the door so the bar calls the Fort Collins police (who have a downtown substation specifically to deal with bar issues) and within minutes they arrive and start writing tickets for Trespassing. It could be that the person didn’t understand why they were being kicked out and were asking questions – Trespassing. It could be that the person wanted to grab their phone and other belongings before leaving – Trespassing. The bouncers and staff at these downtown bars are QUICK to call the police and get people criminally charged.
Trespassing at Downtown Bars in Fort Collins, Colorado
The Fort Collins municipal code definition of Trespass – Sec. 17-40 – is:
According to the law (both Fort Collins municipal code and the Colorado state statutes) the minute you are asked to leave and you don’t, your presence becomes unlawful. So, when bar staff tell a person they need to leave, if they don’t ‘sir, yes, sir’ and run out the door, they will likely get the cops called on them.
Penalty for Trespass in Fort Collins Municipal Court
Trespass is a misdemeanor offense in Fort Collins, Colorado. According to the municipal code, a misdemeanor offense is punishable by:
It’s not very often that the municipal court sentences anyone to Larimer County Jail time, but it is always a possibility.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Trespass in Fort Collins, 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 initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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