How Can a Person get Charged with Harassment in Denver?
Harassment, C.R.S. 18-9-111, can be charged when Denver police decide someone was hit, shoved or followed in a public place. Harassment charges can also be filed if someone is yelled at or they emailed obscenities, or if someone is the repeated victim of telephone calls at inconvenient hours which invaded that person’s privacy. These are just a few ways a person can be charged with Harassment. To make matters worse, if any of the above mentioned things is directed at someone who is or has been in an intimate relationship with the accused, then a Domestic Violence enhancer is added to the mix, increasing the severity of the charges. As I have written before, I believe Harassment is one of the most overly abused charges in Colorado.
Harassment Charges – Institutionally Abused in Adams County – Who is to Blame?
So really, who is to blame for the large numbers of people charged with Harassment and Domestic Violence in Adams and Douglas County? I think it is you, and me, and the people who vote in Colorado law makers that pass mandatory arrest laws. These lawmakers have the mindset that people cannot work out any disagreement and it feeds into a mindset that we should call the police whenever our feelings get hurt. There is a balance when it comes to allowing people to work out their disagreement and mandating arrests. Unfortunately, I believe we have gone too far in the direction of forcing police to be the arbitrators in disputes between people.
If Someone Calls the Police in Arapahoe and Jefferson County, Someone is Going to Jail
We are often hired by people in Arapahoe County, Jefferson County and across Colorado who have called 911 on a spouse but are now regretting the decision a little too late. In the heat of an argument, things are said and done which people wish had not been. I am not talking about situations where there is a threat of injury. In those cases, calling 911 is always the best decision. I am referring to the many times where people call the police just because they are unwilling to work out an argument. These calls usually result in Harassment charges along with Domestic Violence charges. We are so used to letting the government handle our affairs that we tend to forget we have the power to work out our own disagreements. You should be aware that when the police show up, in many cases they have no choice but to make an arrest in Colorado. Someone will go to jail. By the way, many times it is the person making the phone call that gets arrested, so don’t think that just because you are the first one on the phone you will be okay.
From Montrose to Yuma County, and everywhere in between, the Criminal Defense lawyers at O’Malley law office have the experience to defend our clients charged with Harassment. We listen to your story and know how to discuss it with prosecutors in a way they understand. If need be, we will aggressively defend your case to a jury. If you or someone you care about is charged with Harassment, I urge you to be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us at 303-731-0719. Together we can protect your future.
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