In Weld County, did you know that it is a criminal offense to Disrupt a Lawful Assembly in accordance with C.R.S. 18-9-108? This means that if a person intentionally disturbs or disrupts a gathering of people, they can be charge criminally. The lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office will discuss 4 key things you should know if you are facing a Disrupting a Lawful Meeting or Assembly charge, the key points are:
#1. What is the Definition of Disrupting Lawful Assembly, C.R.S. 18-9-108, in Greeley, Colorado?
The legal definition of Disrupting Lawful Assembly, C.R.S. 18-9-108, in Greeley is:
It is important to know that actions you take can have legal consequences even when they do not seem like a criminal act. In the case of Disrupting a Lawful Meeting or Assembly this can be interrupting a speaker, using megaphones to drown out a person campaigning or even disturbing the proceedings at a funeral.
#2. What are the Types of Events are a “Lawful Assemblies” in Weld County?
The types of events in Weld County that are considered “Lawful Assemblies” are any legal gathering of people such as: church meetings, school board meetings, political events and rallies, city council meetings, and even funerals.
#3. What are Examples of Disrupting a Lawful Assembly and is it the Same as a Protest in Windsor, or Severance Colorado?
In Windsor and Severance, a protest is legal, and you cannot be criminally charged for protesting an assembly. However, protesters can be charged with Disrupting a Lawful Meeting or Assembly if they enter the meeting and disrupt it. Some behaviors that could be charged with Disrupting a Lawful Meeting or Assembly are:
- Trying to prevent the meeting from taking place by blocking the entrance.
- Shouting with megaphone or using noise makers to prevent the speaker from being heard.
- Shouting utterances or disturbing a meeting so it cannot take place.
- Disrupting a funeral by yelling, using noisemakers, or blocking the progress of funeral vehicles.
#4. What are the Punishments and Sentence for Disrupting a Lawful Meeting or Assembly in Weld County?
The sentence in Weld County for Disrupting a Lawful Meeting or Assembly is usually a petty offense and the punishment includes up to $300 in fines, and up to 10 days in the Weld County Jail. If the defendant is convicted of disrupting a funeral, the sentence is a class 2 misdemeanor with punishment of up to $750 in fines, and 120 days in jail. Criminal records of petty offenses and misdemeanors can follow you for the rest of your life. In cases of large gatherings, the Greeley Police will often make immediate arrests and determine the charge later. Don’t face having an arrest for Disrupting a Lawful Meeting or Assembly on your criminal history. An experienced criminal defense attorney will fight for you and the best outcome in your case.