People don't realize it, but police officers can be accused or charged with a crime just as easily as anyone else. In a recent news story I read, a former Boulder police detective was arrested after being accused of sending a warning email to a suspect in an Internet Luring of a Child case in 2014. The suspect in the case allegedly sent 700 messages and sexually graphic exchanges to an undercover detective pretending to be a 13-year-old girl. After the suspect of the Internet Luring of a Child case received an email telling him to cancel his meeting with the 13-year-old, police investigated and found the email had been sent from within the Boulder police department. One of the Boulder detectives was suspected to have sent the email and was later arrested for Accessory to Crime, Obstructing a Peace Officer, and First-Degree Official Misconduct. In today's blog, we'll focus on Accessory to Crime and Obstructing a Peace Officer.

Facing charges of Obstructing a Peace Officer?

Definition of Jefferson County Accessory to Crime

A person is an accessory to crime, C.R.S. 18-8-105, in Jefferson and Arapahoe County, if, with intent to hinder, delay, or prevent the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of another for the commission of a crime, he renders assistance to such person. Someone can render assistance by:

1. Harboring or concealing the other;
2. Harboring or concealing the victim / witness to the crime;
3. Warning such person of discovery or apprehension;
4. Providing such person with money, transportation, weapon, disguise, or other thing to be used in avoiding discovery or apprehension;
5. By force, intimidation, or deception, obstructing anyone in the performance of any act which might aid in the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of such person;
6. Concealing, destroying, or altering any physical or testimonial evidence that could aid in the discovery, detection, apprehension, prosecution, conviction, or punishment of such person.

Because the ex-police detective allegedly sent a warning to a suspect telling him to cancel his meeting with the pretend child, the ex-police detective was considered an accessory to a crime. He was trying to hinder, delay, or prevent the man in the case from being discovered or convicted of Internet Luring of a Child by rendering assistance to the male suspect. He rendered such assistance by warning the male suspect of discovery or apprehension.

What is Adams County Obstructing a Peace Officer?

Obstructing a Peace Officer, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Services Provider, Rescue Specialist, or Volunteer, C.R.S. 18-8-104, is charged in Adams and Douglas County whenever someone obstructs a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical services provider, rescue specialist, or volunteer. A person commits obstruction of one of the above when, by using or threatening to use violence, force, physical interference, or an obstacle, he / she:

1. Knowingly obstructs, impairs, or hinders the enforcement of the penal law or the preservation of the peace by a peace officer, acting under color of his or her official authority;
2. Knowingly obstructs, impairs, or hinders the prevention, control or abatement of fire by a firefighter, acting under color of his or her official authority
3. Knowingly obstructs, impairs, or hinders the administration of medical treatment or emergency assistance by an emergency medical service provider or rescue specialist, acting under color of his or her official authority; or
4. Knowingly obstructs, impairs, or hinders the administration of emergency care or emergency assistance by a volunteer, acting in good faith to render such care or assistance without compensation at the place of an emergency or accident.

The former police detective is accused of obstruction because the prosecutor asserts that he sent out an email warning a man not to meet with a 13-year-old girl (who was really an undercover police officer).

Why You Need the Best Denver Criminal Defense Attorneys

If you have been charged or accused of being an accessory to a crime or of obstructing a peace officer in Denver, Littleton, or anywhere else in Colorado, consult our experienced criminal defense lawyers today. A conviction of either of these crimes could result in a lengthy Arapahoe County Jail or prison sentence. Our Denver criminal lawyers spend 100% of our time on criminal defense cases, which means our attention is focused completely on you. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Get Help Now

If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with Obstructing a Peace Officer or Accessory to Crime in Denver or Douglas County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Obstructing a Peace Officer and Accessory to Crime defense attorneys at the O'Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.Request a Free Consultation

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