Reckless Endangerment is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person is accused of acting in a way that creates a risk of injury to another. Police officers, like Fort Collins Police officers and Larimer County Sheriff deputies, are tasked with protecting the public. It’s literally their job. So, what happens when they fail to do their job? Well, for one police officer, it resulted in criminal charges. According to the report, the officer was called to a scene where a man was claiming a car had been stolen from his business and he tracked it down and confronted the man who he believed stole it. The man had pulled the car thief out of the car and beat him. The beaten man was lying in the grass when the officer arrived. The officer did nothing while the man walked up to the other man he just beat up, and kicked him in the head. The man was charged and convicted of First Degree Assault and the officer was later charged and convicted of Reckless Endangerment.
Larimer County Reckless Endangerment Lawyer: Definition of Reckless Endangerment in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Reckless Endangerment – C.R.S. 18-3-208 – is:
Now, I don’t believe that if it were a random passerby or another witness to the situation would have been arrested for not intervening. However, a law enforcement officer, whose actual job is to intervene and protect, clearly failed at his job by not responding to help the already injured man. His lack of action allowed for the man to sustain additional injuries – and a kick to the head could definitely result in serious bodily injury.
Sentence for Reckless Endangerment for Not Intervening in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park, Reckless Endangerment is a class 2 misdemeanor. This level misdemeanor is punishable by up to 120 days in the Larimer County Jail and up to $750 in fines. The bigger implication for the officer would be his career. It’s likely a conviction would result in him losing his job and possibly even his entire career. It’s not a good look to stand back and let someone commit a crime when your job is to intervene.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Reckless Endangerment, 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. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Brett Sayles