Colorado menacing charges often involve some type of criminal threat and use of a deadly weapon. When someone strikes fear of serious bodily injury in another via threats or actions, law enforcement is quick to intervene. Just last weekend, a NFL wide receiver was arrested on several different charges, including menacing, at an apartment complex in Colorado. The situation allegedly included an altercation with another man during a poker game that became violent and involved a firearm. Any accusations of menacing require strategic representation from a seasoned defense attorney.
Specific Elements of Menacing in Colorado
Colorado’s menacing law prohibits making certain threats to others. C.R.S. 18-3-206 defines the specific elements of menacing in Denver, Lakewood, and Aurora. You commit menacing if you:
- by threat or physical action,
- knowingly place or attempt to place someone in fear of serious bodily injury
Announcing that you’re armed with a deadly weapon or displaying one amplifies this charge drastically. Using a gun, knife, or metal tool in the midst of a threat often heightens the fear factor in others. We often see menacing charges in domestic disputes where tempers flare. At a peak level of aggravation, a person might say things or pull out a weapon and later regret their frustration getting the best of them.
When is Menacing a Felony in Colorado?
Criminal threats that don’t involve a deadly weapon are misdemeanor offenses in Denver, Lakewood, and Aurora. As a class 3 misdemeanor, a conviction for this type of menacing can result in:
- up to 6 months in county jail,
- fines of $50 – $750
However, with the use of a deadly weapon, menacing jumps to a class 5 felony. Possible penalties in these cases include:
- 12 – 36 months in the Colorado Department of Corrections,
- fines of up to $100,000
Additionally, menacing is often accompanied by other charges including assault, reckless endangerment, or illegal discharge of a firearm if a gun is fired.
Colorado’s Top Attorney for Menacing Charges
Strategic representation is essential when it comes to menacing charges. If your unique case involves a deadly weapon, you need an experienced firearm attorney. Look no further than the skilled criminal lawyers at O’Malley and Sawyer, LLC. Perhaps your statements didn’t include threats, you weren’t armed, or you were acting in self-defense. Nonetheless, contact our office for a free initial consultation. We offer same-day jail visits, flexible payment plans, and affordable fees for those facing criminal allegations throughout Colorado.
If you or someone you know is facing Colorado menacing charges, be smart. Contact the determined defense attorneys at O’Malley and Sawyer, LLC at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Ben Hershey