Drinking too much can result in more than a headache the next day. One man is facing multiple criminal charges in Longmont, including Kidnapping, Burglary, Menacing, and Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender. Let’s take a look at his situation, in order to understand how crimes are charged in Larimer, Boulder, and Washington County.
Intoxication and Bad Decisions = Multiple criminal charges
Last week didn’t end well for a man in Longmont. According to news reports, he and a couple friends were drinking at a private home. At the end of the night, the homeowner drove his friends to their homes and then returned and went to bed. He and his wife woke up to pounding on the door – one of the men he was drinking with had returned. He had a shotgun, and he demanded entrance. Once inside, he commanded the homeowner to drive him to look for his car. They left, and the wife called the police. Eventually, the police caught up to the pair on a Weld County road and arrested the kidnapper. He was charged with the following crimes:
- First Degree Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-202
- Second Degree Kidnapping – C.R.S. 18-3-302
- Menacing – C.R.S. 18-3-206
- Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender – C.R.S. 18-12-108
People often wonder how they have been charged with so many criminal offenses. What they don’t understand is that crimes add up quickly, especially when you combine drinking with bad decision making. In the case of the man in Longmont, each of the bad decisions he made added up to many crimes. When he unlawfully entered the home in Longmont, with the intent to commit a crime (Kidnapping and Menacing), he committed 1st Degree Burglary. Because he threatened the homeowner and his wife with a gun, placing them in fear of serious bodily injury, he committed the crime of Menacing. By moving his friend from one place to another without his permission, he committed Kidnapping. And, because he had a felony conviction in his past, it was illegal for him to own or possess a firearm – thus the Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender charge. As you can see, each decision he made led to multiple criminal charges.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Multiple Criminal Charges
Criminal charges start to add up quickly. District Attorneys often overcharge people, knowing they will be overwhelmed and plead guilty to avoid jail time. This reduces congested court dockets, which allows DAs and judges to focus on the bigger cases. Unfortunately, people don’t understand the consequences of a felony conviction on their future. This is why it’s important to work with a well-known, aggressive criminal defense lawyer who will advise you of your rights, determine whether you have been overcharged, and fight to get you the best possible outcome in your criminal case.
If you or a loved one is facing multiple criminal charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 970-658-0007. Together, we can protect your future.