C.R.S. 18-9-109 – Interference with Staff, Faculty, or Students of Educational Institutions
While physical interference with those present at a high school or college would likely qualify for charges of Interference with Staff and Students at an Educational Facility, C.R.S. 18-9-109, threats to cause death or bodily injury are more commonly seen by defense attorneys. In today’s viral world of social media, students seeking attention or a good gag, will imply the possibility that they may initiate a Columbine type assault on the school or college. Intent to follow through on the threat is not necessary.
Example of Interference with Educational Institutions in Denver, Colorado Area School
Recently in Adams County, Colorado, an 18 year old young man posted pictures of weapons and a threat to shoot students on his Twitter account. He was arrested and charged with Interference with Staff and Students at an Educational Facility. The young man pled guilty to Interference with Staff and Students at an Educational Facility, and Criminal Mischief. Harassment charges often accompany the Interference charges in cases like this. Typically, a person who makes these threats is a student looking for attention.
18-9-109 – Interference with Staff, Faculty, or Students of Educational Institutions Definition in Jefferson County
A defense lawyer’s definition of Interference with an Educational Institution includes:
(1) No person shall, on or near the premises or facilities of any educational institution, willfully deny to students, school officials, employees, and invitees:
(a) Lawful freedom of movement on the premises;
(b) Lawful use of the property or facilities of the institution;
(c) The right of lawful ingress and egress to the institution’s physical facilities.
(2) No person shall, on the premises of any educational institution, willfully impede the staff, faculty, or student of the institution in the lawful pursuit of his educational activities through the use of restraint, abduction, coercion, or intimidation or when force and violence are present or threatened.
(3) No person shall willfully refuse or fail to leave the property of or educational institution.
(4) A person shall not knowingly make or convey to another person a credible threat to cause death or to cause bodily injury with a deadly weapon against: A person the actor knows or believes to be a student, school official, or employee of an educational institution; or an invitee who is on the premises of an educational institution.
Douglas County and Arapahoe County, CO, Interference with Staff, Faculty, or Students of Educational Institutions Penalty
If you are convicted of paragraphs 1-3 above, you will receive a class 3 misdemeanor, while violation of paragraph #6 is a class 1 misdemeanor. Each of these can result in a county jail sentence and extensive probation time. Once convicted, they must complete a battery of testing and therapy to ensure they won’t follow through with threats of this kind. Due to the potential serious nature of a shooting or bombing at a school, courts and probation officers want to be extra sure that they have accurately assessed the threat posed by a convicted defendant.
You must be cautious about any threats involving a school, college or students. This includes relationships with students not necessarily based at the school. Call our criminal defense lawyers if you are charged with Interference with Educational Institutions, and never answer police questions. We can be reached 24/7 at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.