Have you been falsely accused of False Imprisonment in Weld County? You will need an experienced defense attorney to help you get the best outcome in your case. A recent case in Fort Collins had a man facing a False Imprisonment charge after he held a university football player at gun point for about 7 mins. The football player and a coworker were walking around for a roofing company that they worked for, when they were approached and held at gunpoint because the man thought the two roofers were part of a protesting group. It is important to know and understand the charges that you are accused of. To learn more about False Imprisonment, read below or call our office to speak with one of our defense lawyers.
False Imprisonment Definition, C.R.S. 18-3-303, in Greeley, Colorado?
The Greeley, Colorado definition for False Imprisonment, C.R.S. 18-3-303, is:
The man who detained the football player and his coworker was not a police officer. So, while it is not breaking the law when Greeley police make an arrest or detain someone, it is unlawful to detain someone if you are not a peace officer or a person with legal authority to do so. Learn more about False Imprisonment in Fort Collins, HERE.
How is False Imprisonment Punished and Sentenced in Weld County?
In Weld County, False Imprisonment is punished with either a class 2 misdemeanor or a class 5 felony. Most cases are charged as a class 2 misdemeanor. However, when someone is detained for more than 12 hours or there is a threat of force or actual force involved, it is elevated to a class 5 felony offense. A class 2 misdemeanor sentence can consist of 3-12 months in the Weld County Jail and $250-1,000 in fines. A class 5 felony sentence consists of 1-3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, $1,000-100,000 in fines and a mandatory 2 years of parole.
In the above case, the man would be fighting a class 5 felony charge in Fort Collins, Colorado. He held the men at gun point and detained them.
What is the Difference Between Falsely Imprisoning Someone and Kidnapping a Person in Greeley, Colorado?
False Imprisonment and Kidnapping are often used interchangeably, however the differences are significant. False imprisonment is to detain or hold someone without their permission and Kidnapping is when a person is moved from one spot to another against their will, often for extortion, money or physical harm. An example of Falsely Imprisoning someone would be if a husband locked his wife in their bedroom and would not let her leave. A Kidnapping example would be if a neighbor took a child to a nearby state without the parents’ permission, and demanded money for their safe return.
Whether you are charged with false imprisonment, or kidnapping, understand that law enforcement is coming for you. Your freedom and your future are at stake, so you need an experienced criminal attorney to defend you.
Have you or a loved one been accused of False Imprisonment Lawyer in Greeley? Be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys in Greeley and Weld County. Call the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule your free consultation today. Together, we can protect your future.
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay