In Greeley and across Weld County, a bomb threat to a school is a serious matter. A juvenile was recently arrested and charged with Interference with a School after law enforcement were alerted to a bomb threat. While very little information has been provided, it seems the threat stemmed from a social media post. No bombs or explosive devices were found in the school.
Weld County Interference with School Lawyer: How is a Juvenile Charged with Interference with Staff, Faculty, or Students of Educational Institutions in Colorado?
The Weld County, Colorado law definition of Interference with Staff, Faculty, or Students of Educational Institutions related to a bomb threat – C.R.S. 18-9-109(6) – is:
(I) A person the actor knows or believes to be a student, school official, or employee of an educational institution; or
(II) An invitee who is on the premises of an educational institution.
(b) For purposes of this subsection (6), “credible threat” means a threat or physical action that would cause a reasonable person to be in fear of bodily injury with a deadly weapon or death.
A threat related to setting off a bomb would meet the standard of ‘credible threat’ as bombs definitely can cause bodily injury.
Penalty for Interference with a School: Are Juveniles Treated Differently?
Interference with a School is a class 1 misdemeanor when it relates to a credible threat, like a bomb threat. For an adult, this would mean a potential sentence to the Weld County Jail. However, juveniles are treated differently in the criminal justice system. The focus is more on rehabilitation then punishment. While community safety is always a concern that is taken into consideration, incarceration is usually not a go-to when it comes to juvenile cases- especially for misdemeanor crimes.
If you or your child has been charged with Interference with Educational Institution, 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 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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