Reckless Endangerment in Fort Collins | The Risk of Serious Bodily Injury from a Wet Willy?

Learn more about Reckless Endangerment in Colorado.
Learn more about Reckless Endangerment in Colorado.
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Most people who grew up with a sibling or two are probably well aware of the wet willy. A four year old boy was acquainted with this disgusting prank while sitting in a business waiting area. According to the report, the boy was with his mother when a homeless man entered the area and sat near him. The man spit on his finger before sticking it in the child’s ear. The mother and employees confronted the man, but he fled the scene. Police were able to catch up with him and he was arrested for Reckless Endangerment.

What is Reckless Endangerment in Larimer County?

In Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County, Reckless Endangerment – C.R.S. 18-3-208 – is defined as:

A person who recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of serious bodily injury to another person commits reckless endangerment, which is a class 3 misdemeanor.

The law defines ‘serious bodily injury’ as:

bodily injury which, either at the time of the actual injury or at a later time, involves a substantial risk of death, a substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, a substantial risk of protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body, or breaks, fractures, or burns of the second or third degree.

[pullquote align=”center” textalign=”center” width=”100%”]Have you been charged with Reckless Endangerment? Contact the experienced attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today![/pullquote]

After reading the definition of the crime and it’s elements, it seems very far fetched that this homeless man was charged with Reckless Endangerment. Unless the man carried a deadly disease that could be passed on through saliva to ear contact, there is no way the boy was in harm of serious bodily injury. It was definitely gross, but I’m not so sure it was criminal. The DA will have a really hard time proving the man committed Reckless Endangerment. The facts of the case simply do not meet the elements of the crime. Surprisingly, we see many cases where police and deputy district attorneys try and fit a square peg into a circle hole. They simply don’t know what to charge you with, so they hop you will not get a lawyer who understands their problem.

If you or someone you love has been falsely accused of Reckless Endangerment in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park, be smart and exercise your right to remain silent. Then, contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.