It is easy to be charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer in Larimer County. All it takes is for a police officer to believe you are interfering with them while they are performing their duty. This statute sounds like a wise way to protect law enforcement throughout Colorado. Unfortunately, the police often abuse this law by overcharging it. Let’s look closer at this crime and how a person can face accusations.
Obstructing a Peace Officer in Larimer County
The statute, Obstruction of a Peace Officer, C.R.S. 18-8-104 states that a person will be charged if they use or “threaten to use violence, force, physical interference, or an obstacle” to knowingly prevent, impair, hinder, or obstruct an officer while they are performing their duty.
The Definition is Vague for a Reason
It is important to note the vagueness of the terms, such as “physical interference” and “obstacle.” We have seen cases where “physical interference” included a man refusing to open the gate on his property for the police. Always ask the police for a warrant – they need this to come onto your property. In cases like this, the police overreacted and charged the man with Obstructing a Peace Officer because he made their job difficult. The truth is, police officers aren’t easy to work with or understand. Personally, I have had interactions with the police where they have been rude, disrespectful, hard to understand, and power-hungry; we are in trouble. When the police use vague crimes against people they don’t like, and people who make their job difficult.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Obstructing a Peace Officer Charges
If you have been charged with Obstruction, you need to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney. This is because the “victim” in the case is law enforcement. Judges have a bias towards law enforcement because they work with them every day. Don’t think that because you are innocent you’ll receive a fair trial. Judges and juries have a bias toward the heroic police officer in Fort Collins, LaPorte, or Johnstown. Don’t try to defend yourself alone. Work with an attorney who knows the judges and District Attorneys in Larimer County. We know what is needed to prove your innocence regarding an Obstruction of a Police Officer charge.
If you or a loved one has been accused of Obstructing a Peace Officer in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park, 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, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – Clker-Free-Vector-Images