I came across an article the other day about a police detective in Larimer County who was charged with Harassment. It perfectly illustrates just how easy it is to be charged with this vague crime in Denver, Adams, and Douglas County. Let’s take a look at this overly charged offense, and why it’s important to hire an expert criminal lawyer to advocate on your behalf.
Harassment Charges for Making Too Many Phone Calls
The police detective turned himself into the Larimer County Jail after being investigated for Harassment charges. Apparently, the man was going through a divorce with another detective in the police station. He was charged with Harassment for making “repeated phone calls.” No, you’re not reading that wrong. The detective made too many phone calls, and was subsequently charged with Harassment. Now, if you’re like me, you’re thinking to yourself that you’ve lost your temper, or gotten scared, or needed reassurance, and called someone repeatedly. Well, what you didn’t know is that you can face criminal charges for calling someone too much. Let’s take a look at the statute to see what I mean.
Can I Be Charged with Harassment for Making Repeated Phone Calls?
According to the Harassment statute – C.R.S. 18-9-111, a person will be charged with this offense if they:
“With intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person, he or she:
(f) Makes a telephone call or causes a telephone to ring repeatedly, whether or not a conversation ensues, with no purpose of legitimate conversation.”
There you have it. If you call someone repeatedly, with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm them, you could be charged with Harassment.
Harassment Domestic Violence: More Serious Consequences
Another aspect of the detective’s situation I should mention is that the Domestic Violence (DV) sentence enhancer has likely been added to the Harassment charges. Domestic Violence – C.R.S. 18-6-800.3, isn’t a crime in and of itself. Instead, it is a label that is attached to any crime involving two people who are in, or have been in an “intimate relationship.” Because the detective likely was calling his soon-to-be-ex-wife, the label was most likely added. When the DV label is attached, it aggravates the sentence, and has other consequences, such as the possibility of the convicted person to lose his or her gun rights.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Harassment Charges
As you can see from the detective’s situation, it isn’t difficult to be charged with Harassment as an act of Domestic Violence in Arapahoe, Jefferson, and El Paso County. Don’t let a mistake follow you for the rest of your life. Instead, hire an affordable, experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight on your behalf in the courtroom. The attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office have a passion for aggressively defending our clients and getting them the best possible outcome in their cases. Don’t stand alone – contact a lawyer who fights to win.
If you or a loved one has been charged with Harassment, 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 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
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