Obstruction of a Telephone Service is a common Domestic Violence charge in Loveland and Fort Collins. It’s not uncommon for a couple to get into an argument and during the argument one party picks up their phone and threatens to call someone – whether it be a friend, family member, or police. The other party wants to continue the argument and takes the phone. The action of taking the phone while someone is trying to text or call is considered a crime in Colorado.
Larimer County Obstruction of a Telephone Service Attorney: How is Phone Obstruction Charged in Colorado?
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Obstruction of Telephone or Telegraph Service – C.R.S. 18-9-306.5 – is:
Even delaying someone from making a call or sending a text can result in this charge. For example, in the fight I described above, if one party puts their hand over the phone while the other is trying to text and then removes when told to, it can still result in a Telephone Obstruction charge. Obstruction of a Telephone service is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Domestic Violence and Telephone Obstruction Cases in Fort Collins
Domestic Violence is not a criminal charge, but a sentence enhancer that can be added to any crime if certain criteria are met. That criteria is simply that the people involved in the criminal matter are currently or have been in an intimate relationship at any time. This could mean your current wife or boyfriend or an ex-partner. When the DV sentence enhancer is added, the accused would be subject to a mandatory protection order during the pendency and while serving a sentence on the case. This can cause issues as it will prevent communication between the two parties, often even when both parties want to resume communicating.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Telephone Obstruction, 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.
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