In Fort Collins and Larimer County, Harassment is charged for many different reasons, one of which is having unwanted physical contact with someone – usually charged as Strike, Shove, Kick. A restauranter who was visiting Colorado for a wedding, recently learned that he has been charged with Harassment – Strike, Shove, Kick and Disorderly Conduct for an unpleasant interaction with someone at the hotel he was staying at. According to the report, the man was walking to the hotel with his wife and children when a female driver swerved toward the family, barely missing them. He later confronted the woman when he saw her in the hotel. Details about the confrontation were not disclosed in the article, but he was never contacted by police and left the hotel the next day. He later learned a warrant had been issued related to his interaction.
Fort Collins Harassment Defense Attorney: Definition of Harassment Strike, Shove, Kick in Colorado
The Fort Collins and 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(d) Repealed.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.
As you can see, subsection (a) covers a strike, shove, kick allegation. The difference between this type of physical contact and Assault is the injury level. If the person claims to have felt pain through the physical contact, then that would be considered bodily injury and would likely be charged as Third Degree Assault. No injury from the physical contact generally means a Harassment Strike, Shove, Kick charge.
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. We also practice in Greeley and Weld County. Click here to visit our Greeley site. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Keira Burton