Menacing is a Fort Collins and Larimer County charge that results from an accusation that one person puts another in fear of serious injury. There doesn’t have to be any real action involved. A simple threat is often enough to get this crime charged. A woman was recently arrested and charged with this crime after she said something during a verbal argument with another person. According to the report, during the argument the woman threatened to shoot the person she was arguing with. Police were called and the alleged victim made statements that they feared for their life based on the statements made, so the woman was charged with Menacing.
Fort Collins Menacing Lawyer: How is Menacing Charged in Colorado?
The Fort Collins, Colorado law definition of Menacing – C.R.S. 18-3-206 – is:
Obviously, for the woman above, she was accused of making a verbal threat that placed the victim in fear. What’s interesting about this crime is that so much weight is placed onto the feelings of the victim and not the intent of the accused. Someone jokingly saying “I’m gonna kill you” with absolutely no intention of following through can still be charged as a crime if the victim claims they felt fear of injury.
Sentence for Menacing in Loveland and Fort Collins
In Loveland, Fort Collins, and across Larimer County, Menacing without the use of a weapon is a class 1 misdemeanor. The sentence for this level misdemeanor is up to 364 days in the Larimer County Jail along with fees and fines. If there was a weapon involved, then the Menacing is charged as a class 5 felony. This level felony is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections along with fees and fines.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Menacing, 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.
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