Starbucks employees are usually so friendly and customers tend to be happy to be getting their caffeine fix. Recently, though, a man a pleasant experience for everyone in the store into a criminal escapade. According to the news report, the man had gotten angry because someone had spilled something on his suit coat. Things quickly spiraled and once outside the store, the man – who is white – began to say hateful things to the African American men who were filming him and trying to get him to leave. He even randomly punched a man who had nothing to do with the situation and was just walking down the sidewalk. Has this occurred in Greeley, Erie, or Johnstown, the man would likely be facing charges for 3rd Degree Assault and Bias Motivated Crimes.
Weld County Assault in the Third Degree Lawyer: What is the Definition of 3rd Degree Assault?
The Colorado law definition of Assault in the Third Degree – C.R.S. 18-3-204 – is:
(a) The person knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person or with criminal negligence the person causes bodily injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon
As an extraordinary risk class 1 misdemeanor in Weld, Morgan, and Logan County, Third Degree Assault is punishable by 6 to 24 months in the Weld county Jail and up to $5,000 in fines.
What are Bias Motivated Crimes or Hate Crimes in Greeley?
The Colorado law definition of Bias-Motivated Crimes – C.R.S. 18-9-121 – is:
(a) Knowingly causes bodily injury to another person; or
(b) By words or conduct, knowingly places another person in fear of imminent lawless action directed at that person or that person’s property and such words or conduct are likely to produce bodily injury to that person or damage to that person’s property; or
(c) Knowingly causes damage to or destruction of the property of another person.
A violation of sections (b) or (c) is a class 1 misdemeanor, whereas a violation of part (a) is class 5 felony.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Third Degree Assault or Bias-Motivated Crime, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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