Obstructing Peace Officers in Parker | Douglas County Criminal Defense

Obstructing peace officers in Parker, Highlands Ranch, or Castle Rock involves several different actions that impair or hinder their duties. This even applies to law enforcement animals throughout Douglas, Elbert, and Arapahoe County. Threats of violence, use of force, and interfering with officers can be a costly choice. While instinct might tell someone to intervene if they see police acting illegally, charges can still follow for acting on these observations. If you or someone you know is being accused of obstructing peace officers in Colorado, contact our criminal lawyers as soon as you can.

What Counts as Obstructing Peace Officers in Douglas County?

Colorado’s obstructing peace officers law prohibits specific behaviors against law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs. CRS 18-8-104 defines obstructing a peace officer. Law enforcement will pursue charges if they believe you:

using or threatening violence, force, or physical interference,
- obstructed, impaired, or hindered,
- enforcement of penal law, preservation of peace, abatement of fire, or medical treatment / emergency assistance

Common things we see resulting in obstructing police charges include verbal threats, becoming confrontational, interfering with an arrest, or providing false information to law enforcement. Causing any issues when it comes to peace officers and their duties is a slippery slope throughout Colorado’s 64 counties.

How Serious is Obstructing Peace Officers in Parker?

Each case of obstructing peace officers is unique. Consequences for a conviction fluctuate based on the facts of each situation. As a class 2 misdemeanor, obstructing a peace officer can lead to:

a county jail sentence of 3 – 12 months,
fines of $250 – $1,000

Two other offenses that are closely related include disarming a a peace officer (removing their weapon) and resisting arrest. These crimes carry strict penalties as well and require skilled representation from an experienced defense attorney.

Douglas County’s Leading Criminal Defense Attorneys

When it comes to criminal defense in Douglas, Elbert, and Arapahoe County, the choice is clear… Sawyer Legal Group is the firm you want by your side. Our highly-rated criminal lawyers have decades of combined experience with police-involved crimes. Perhaps the officer was using excessive force, there was misconduct, or you were acting in self-defense. Nevertheless, contact our office for a free, confidential consultation. We will carefully analyze your case and recommend next steps in your defense. We offer same-day jail visits, affordable fees, and flexible payment plans for those facing charges in Castle Rock, Parker, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Aurora.